Survey results on daily practice in open and laparoscopic liver resections from 27 centers participating in the second International Consensus Conference

Background The proportions of laparoscopic approach and surgical procedures in liver resections have been unknown in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to investigate liver resections performed in select centers worldwide and analyze the ratios of laparoscopic approach, major liver resection, and left lateral sectionectomy. Methods A questionnaire-based survey on proportions of liver resections performed between 2008 and 2013 was conducted. The data collected from 27 respondents, which joined the conference committee of the second International Consensus Conference on Laparoscopic Liver Resection (LLR), were analyzed by the working group. Results Between 2008 and 2013, 11,712 liver resections were performed in the 27 centers. Of all of these liver resections, laparoscopic approach was selected in 32.1% (n = 3,765), whereas open approach was selected in 67.9% (n = 7,947). The ratio of laparoscopic approach taken in all left lateral sectionectomy (61.8%) is higher, compared with that of laparoscopic approach taken in all liver resections (32.1%), in all minor liver resections (35.9%), and in all major liver resections (24.8%). Conclusions Laparoscopic approach was clinically chosen for approximately 30% of all liver resections and for more than 60% of left lateral sectionectomy in selected centers worldwide. Highlight Kawaguchi and colleagues report the results of a worldwide questionnaire-based survey of selected centers participating in the Second International Consensus Conference on Laparoscopic Liver Resection. The laparoscopic approach was adopted for around 30% of all liver resections and for more than 60% of left lateral sectionectomies at 27 responding centers.