Importance: Widespread implementation of laparoscopic hemihepatectomy is currently limited by its technical difficulty, paucity of training opportunities, and perceived long and harmful learning curve. Studies confirming the possibility of a short and safe learning curve for laparoscopic hemihepatectomy could potentially benefit the further implementation of the technique.
Objective: To evaluate the extent and safety of the learning curve for laparoscopic hemihepatectomy.
Design, setting, and participants: A prospectively collected single-center database containing all laparoscopic liver resections performed in our unit at the University Hospital Southampton National Health Service Foundation Trust between August 2003 and March 2015 was retrospectively reviewed; analyses were performed in December 2015. The study included 159 patients in whom a total laparoscopic right or left hemihepatectomy procedure was started (intention-to-treat analysis), including laparoscopic extended hemihepatectomies and hemihepatectomies with additional wedge resections, at a tertiary referral center specialized in laparoscopic hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery.
Main outcomes and measures: Primary end points were clinically relevant complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥III). The presence of a learning curve effect was assessed with a risk-adjusted cumulative sum analysis.
Results: Of a total of 531 consecutive laparoscopic liver resections, 159 patients underwent total laparoscopic hemihepatectomy (105 right and 54 left). In a cohort with 67 men (42%), median age of 64 years (interquartile range [IQR], 51-73 years), and 110 resections (69%) for malignant lesions, the overall median operation time was 330 minutes (IQR, 270-391 minutes) and the median blood loss was 500 mL (IQR, 250-925 mL). Conversion to an open procedure occurred in 17 patients (11%). Clinically relevant complications occurred in 17 patients (11%), with 1% mortality (death within 90 days of surgery, n = 2). Comparison of outcomes over time showed a nonsignificant decrease in conversions (right: 14 [13%] and left: 3 [6%]), blood loss (right: 550 mL [IQR, 350-1150 mL] and left: 300 mL [IQR, 200-638 mL]), complications (right: 15 [14%] and left: 4 [7%]), and hospital stay (right: 5 days [IQR, 4-7 days] and left: 4 days [IQR, 3-5 days]). Risk-adjusted cumulative sum analysis demonstrated a learning curve of 55 laparoscopic hemihepatectomies for conversions.
Conclusions and relevance: Total laparoscopic hemihepatectomy is a feasible and safe procedure with an acceptable learning curve for conversions. Focus should now shift to providing adequate training opportunities for centers interested in implementing this technique.