Surgical Recovery After Left Lateral Hepatic Sectionectomy: Laparoscopic Versus Open Surgery.

The functional recovery criteria consist of adequate pain control with oral analgetics only, mobility restored to an independent level, absence of intravenous fluid administration, ability to eat solid foods and finally a normal or decreasing serum bilirubin level. A patient is fully functionally recovered when all of the five criteria are satisfied. It is medically justified to discharge patients when the criteria for full functional recovery are met and if the patient is willing to go home.

including readmission <30 days

Readmission percentage during one year follow-up

Morbidity will be classified and analysed according to the validated classification for postoperative morbidity as described by Dindo et al.

Parameter composed of a combination of procedure-specific complications and considered as a single, dichotomous outcome: operative mortality, intra-abdominal haemorrhage, ascites, bile leakage, intra-abdominal abscess and postresectional liver failure. These components, which are all specific to liver surgery and have substantial clinical relevance, reflect Dindo grade 3-5 complications. A composite score of 1 (=failure) will reflect the occurrence of at least one of the above liver specific complications, consequently a score of 0 (=success) will be assigned if none occur.

To assess quality of life the Dutch version of the EQ-5D (EuroQol Group) status test in Dutch centres and the translated EQ-5D for international centres will be used. Furthermore, the EORTC QLQ-C30 with the LM21 module will be used for liver specific treatment measurements. Assessment of the patients' quality of life will be performed at the time of consent, discharge and 10 days, 3, 6 and 12 months after discharge.

To evaluate differences in postoperative body image and cosmesis, the Body image Questionnaire (BIQ) will be used. The BIQ consists of 8 questions regarding body image and cosmesis. The body image assessment will be performed preoperatively at time of consent. Both the body image and the cosmesis assessment will take place at discharge, 10 days, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after discharge

The economic evaluation will include a cost-utility analysis from a Dutch societal perspective. The incremental costs per Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) gained will be based on utility scores from the EQ-5D. All hospital expenses (direct and indirect) related to both interventions will be monitored. In addition, a cost questionnaire offered at the regular follow-up consultation (3, 6 and 12 months) will help us to assess the societal and individual costs outside health care relating to patients' absence, impaired mobility, work or normal daily activities.

To assess the incidence of incisional hernias in laparoscopic and open left lateral hepatic sectionectomy patients will be contacted at a mean time of 1 year after resection to receive an ultrasound to diagnose incisional hernia.

Factors delaying discharge after functional recovery will be monitored.