Abstract: Objective To compare the outcomes of hand-assisted laparoscopic liver surgery (HALS) and pure laparoscopic liver
surgery (PLS). Methods The clinical data were analyzed for 64 patients undergoing major hepatectomy with HALH (23 cases)
and PLS (41 cases) between January, 2010 and December, 2012. Results The general data of the two groups were comparable.
Compared with PLS, HALS was associated with a significantly shorter operative time (240 vs 191 min), less intraoperative
blood loss (430 vs 220 ml, P<0.05), and a lower cost (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in
postoperative hospital stay, complication rates or recurrence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma. Conclusions HALS is safe for
major liver resection with such advantages over PLS as causing less trauma and a lower cost.