Comparison of open and laparoscopic live donor left lateral sectionectomy

Abstract

Background: The present study was undertaken to determine whether laparoscopic live donor left lateral sectionectomy (LLS) in paediatric liver transplantation is a feasible, safe and reproducible procedure, compared with open live donor left lateral sectionectomy (OLS). Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all consecutive live donor procedures for paediatric liver transplantation performed between May 2008 and October 2009. All live donor hepatectomies were carried out by a single surgeon. Results: A total of 26 live donor procedures for paediatric liver transplantation were performed, of which 11 were LLS and 11 OLS; four left hepatectomies were excluded. The LLS group had a significantly shorter hospital stay (mean(s.d.) 6·9(0· 3) versus 9·8(0·9) days; P = 0·001) and time to oral diet (2·1(0·3) versus 2·7(0·4) days; P = 0·012). Duration of operation, blood loss, warm ischaemia time and out-of-pocket medical costs were comparable between groups. There was no death in either donor group and only one complication, a wound seroma, in the OLS group. Conclusion: LLS seemed to be a safe, feasible and reproducible procedure, and was associated with reduced hospital stay. © 2011 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd.