Minireviews
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World J Gastrointest Endosc. Mar 16, 2014; 6(3): 60-67
Published online Mar 16, 2014. doi: 10.4253/wjge.v6.i3.60
Minireview on laparoscopic hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery
Clara Tan-Tam, Stephen W Chung
Clara Tan-Tam, Stephen W Chung, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, and Liver Transplant, Division of General Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver General Hospital and BC Transplant Society, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada
Author contributions: Tan-Tam C wrote this review with assistance and guidance from Chung SW.
Correspondence to: Stephen W Chung, MD, PhD, FRCSC, Professor, Scientific Director, Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, and Liver Transplant, Division of General Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver General Hospital and BC Transplant Society, 5th Floor, 2775 Laurel St., Vancouver, BC V5Z 1M9, Canada. stephen.chung@vch.ca
Telephone: +1-604-8754459 Fax: +1-604-8754036
Received: December 13, 2013
Revised: January 29, 2014
Accepted: March 3, 2014
Published online: March 16, 2014
Core Tip

Core tip: This minireview presents the importance of laparoscopy in facilitating laparoscopic hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, and the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is the preferred management of benign and malignant disease for selected patients. The advantages include confirmation of diagnosis, prevention of nontherapeutic operations, decreased hospital stay and better post-operative function and cosmetic outcome. Meta-analyses demonstrate that laparoscopic liver resections, pancreatectomies and cholecystectomies are efficacious. There is less blood loss; the hospital stays are shorter with laparoscopic surgeries. There is no compromise to the oncological resection margins when compared to open surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is safe and efficacious in the management of benign and malignant hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases.