Page 21 - Read Online

Pais-Costa et al. Mini-invasive Surg 2018;2:33 I http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2574-1225.2018.33 Page 9 of 11

QoL among the patients who underwent successful LH without open conversion. Seven out of eight
variables measured by the SF 36 questionnaire presented similar results between preoperative period
and postoperative period (after three months of surgical procedure). In our view point, this finding may
indicate that LH allows QoL maintenance in patients operated from benign diseases. In the present study,
an early return to work and sports practice was observed and, since most of the patients were young and in
a productive phase of their lives, a significant socioeconomic gain could be expected from this population
group. The main limitations of this study are its retrospective nature, as well as the heterogeneous and
relatively small patient population. However, to our knowledge, no case series in Brazil have evaluated
early and late postoperative outcomes along with the QoL of patients after LH performed solely on benign
lesions of the liver. In addition, this report is unique because most of the patients in this sample were
young women who live in a tropical country where body image is a very important tool for evaluating the
overall QoL. Thus, a simple satisfaction questionnaire was applied in addition to the QoL questionnaire
and showed that about 93% of our patients were satisfied in relation to the general esthetic aspects of the
laparoscopic approach.

In conclusion, LH presented low morbidity, null mortality and rare recurrence in the present series.
Furthermore, LH offered a good QoL and high esthetic satisfaction. Therefore, LH performed by expert
liver surgeons should be considered the main therapeutic approach for treating selected patients with
benign liver lesions who require surgical resection. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm our
findings.

DECLARATIONS
Author’s contributions
Contribution to conception and design, and analysis and interpretation of data, giving the final approval of
the version to be submitted and any revised version: Pais-Costa SR
Contribution to selection of the studies and literature which were included in the references and drafting
the article and revising it critically for important intellectual content: Lima OAT
Contribution with acquisition and collection of data: Costa GC
Contribution to statistical analyses : Martins SJ

Availability of data and materials
Data of the patients were collected from their archives in Dr. Pais-Costa’s personal clinic, Oncodigestiva -
Digestive Surgery Institute. The patients only authorized this study.

Financial support and sponsorship
None.

Conflicts of interest
All authors declared that there were no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval and consent to participate
This study was approved by hospital ethics committee of Hospital Brasília. Consent to participate was
obtained.

Consent for publication
Not applicable.

Copyright
© The Author(s) 2018.