BACKGROUND/AIMS: Laparoscopic approaches are increasingly used in selected patients with either colorectal or liver disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopy-assisted combined colorectal and liver resection for primary colorectal cancer (CRC) with synchronous liver metastases.

METHODOLOGY

Thirteen patients with CRC with synchronous liver metastases who underwent simultaneous laparoscopic colectomy and hepatic resection from January 2009 through July 2013 were evaluated.

RESULTS

The patients' median age was 65 years and the median body mass index was 23.7 kg/M2. The primary sites were the right colon in 4 cases, left colon in 6, and rectum in 3. Liver resections consisted of 14 partial resections or 3 left lateral hepatectomies. One patient was converted to open hepatectomy. The median surgical time was 616 (range, 200-907) min, and the median estimated blood loss was 520 (range, 70-2016) mL. Postoperative mortality did not occur. Three patients experienced minor postoperative complications: bile leakage and wound infection. The median hospital stay was 14 (range, 9-58) days.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that combined colon and liver resection with the laparoscopic approach is technically feasible and safe in selected patients with primary CRC and synchronous liver metastases.