ABSTRACT
Since the first report of a laparoscopic liver resection, laparoscopic hepatic resection has become increasingly more common in the surgical treatment of both benign and malignant tumors. The minimally invasive approach to resections of the entire liver including the posterior and deep segments, however, is still only being performed in highly specialized centers. Minimally invasive techniques for hepatic resections of the entire liver are feasible and safe and high volume centers that specialize in these procedures can have results similar and even superior to histori cal open series. Although some centers utilize ablative procedures for liver malignancies such as cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation, we currendy favor laparoscopic resection whenever feasible and reserve radiofrequency techniques for palliation or as an adjunct to resection.
