Highlights of the Third Expert Forum of Asia-Pacific Laparoscopic Hepatectomy; Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia (ELSA) Visionary Summit 2017

Abstract

The application of laparoscopy for liver surgery is rapidly increasing and the past few years have demonstrated a shift in paradigm with a trend towards more extended and complex resections. The development of instruments and technical refinements with the effective use of magnified caudal laparoscopic views have contributed to the ability to overcome the limitation of laparoscopic liver resection. The Endoscopic and Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia (ELSA) Visionary Summit 2017 and the 3rd Expert Forum of Asia-Pacific Laparoscopic Hepatectomy organized hepatobiliary pancreatic sessions in order to exchange surgical tips and tricks and discuss the current status and future perspectives of laparoscopic hepatectomy. This report summarizes the oral presentations given at the 3rd Expert Forum of Asia-Pacific Laparoscopic Hepatectomy.

Retroperitoneal laparoscopic hepatectomy of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma: case report and literature review

“…If the tumour is more than 10 cm or the lesion is protruding onto the liver surface, which occupies a large amount of space under the pneumoperitoneum, it is difficult for the surgeon to locate enough space to perform the procedure. Hence, these cases are not suitable for laparoscopic hepatectomy [32].…”

Laparoscopic living‐donor hepatectomy: Review of its current status

“…6,7 However, laparoscopic hepatectomy is still relatively new and requires special skills to be performed adequately and safely. [8][9][10][11][12][13] Various techniques, such as robot-assisted surgery, are currently only performed by specialized and experienced surgeons. 9,12,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20] Indeed, a series of mortalities following the use of laparoscopic hepatectomy at an institute in Japan resulted in a great sense of caution regarding the development and use of laparoscopic hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery.…”

“…However, laparoscopic hepatectomy is still relatively new and requires special skills to be performed adequately and safely 8‐13 . Various techniques, such as robot‐assisted surgery, are currently only performed by specialized and experienced surgeons 9,12,14‐20 .…”