Laparoscopic versus open hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: An individual patient data survival meta-analysis

Abstract Background We compared the outcomes of laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) vs. open hepatectomy (OH) for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). Methods A systematic review of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases was performed using PRISMA guidelines (end-of-search date: 08-June-2020). Individual patient data on overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were extracted. Random-effects meta-analyses, and one- and two-stage survival analyses were conducted. Results Eight retrospective cohort studies comparing LH (n = 544) vs. OH (n = 2256) were identified. LH demonstrated lower overall complication (Risk ratio [RR] = 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46–0.90; p = 0.01), surgical lymphadenectomy (RR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.58–0.93; p = 0.01) and margin-positive resection (RR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.62–0.99; p = 0.04) rates, and higher recurrence-free rate (RR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.01–1.51; p = 0.04) vs. OH. In Cox regression, no difference was observed regarding OS (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.65–1.91; p = 0.70) and RFS (HR = 1.19, 95% CI: 0.74–1.90; p = 0.47). Conclusion The use of LH should be considered when feasible in well-selected iCCA patients by hepatobiliary surgeons with experience in minimally-invasive surgery.