INTRODUCTION: Hepatic resection is the last frontier to be surpassed by laparoscopic surgery. Although a highly complex procedure, the need of advanced technology and experience in both laparoscopic and hepatic surgery, the indications and number of cases done worldwide had a major growth in the last few years. AIM: Critically analyze the technique, based on published articles and acquired experience with more than 50 laparoscopic hepatic resections. Indications, feasibility, safety, and basic technical aspects are outlined. METHODS: Original published studies were identified by searching the Lilacs and Medline databases (up to December 2009) using the keywords "liver resection", "laparoscopic" and "liver surgery". It was not found any prospective randomized trial, so all data came from case series, case-control studies, and meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic liver resection is safe and feasible even for major resections, with low morbidity and mortality rates. Laparoscopic approach is considered to be oncologically similar to its open counterpart and may have some advantage in cirrhotic patients. Benign lesions, especially hepatocellular adenoma, remains the best indication. In experienced centers the laparoscopic approach may be considered the standard of care for benign antero-lateral located lesions, and for left lateral sectorectomy.
Hepatectomy; Laparoscopy; Liver surgery; Review