AIMTo compare short-term results between laparoscopic hepatectomy and open hepatectomy using a propensity score matching.METHODSA patient in the laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) group was randomly matched with another patient in the open liver resection (OLR) group using a 1:1 allocated ratio with the nearest estimated propensity score. Patients of the LLR group without matches were excluded. Matching criteria included age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, potential co-morbidities, hepatopathies, size and number of nodules, preoperative chemotherapy, minor or major liver resections. Intraoperative and postoperative data were compared in both groups.RESULTSFrom January 2012 to January 2015, a total of 241 hepatectomies were consecutively performed, of which 169 in the OLR group (70.1%) and 72 in the LLR group (29.9%). The conversion rate was 9.7% (n = 7). The mortality rate was 4.2% in the OLR group and 0% in the LLR group. Prior to and after propensity score matching, there was a statistically significant difference favorable to the LLR group regarding shorter operative times (185 min vs 247.5 min; P = 0.002), less blood loss (100 mL vs 300 mL; P = 0.002), a shorter hospital stay (7 d vs 9 d; P = 0.004), and a significantly lower rate of medical complications (4.3% vs 26.4%; P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic liver resections seem to yield better short-term and mid-term results as compared to open hepatectomies and could well be considered a privileged approach and become the gold standard in carefully selected patients.

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were assessed before and after each treatment and statistically evaluated. Results: 11 patients (median age 68; range 49e77) were included. MARS was started between POD 5 and 8 and a median of 5 treatments (range 5e7) were performed. No direct complication related to the MARS treatment was observed. Bilirubin decreased significantly from 126 mmol/ l (53e466) to 105 (23e324) (p < 0,01). INR decreased slightly but statistically not significant. Three patients with hepatic encephalopathy improved immediately after onset of MARS treatment so that, mechanical ventilation and parenteral nutrition could be avoided. 90-day mortality was 9% (1/11). Conclusion: The use of MARS in the PHLF situation is safe and feasible. Favorable effects of the treatment on clinical and laboratory parameters were observed. In addition, 90-day mortality was low compared to the estimated mortality according to the inclusion criteria (50:50 criteria).