Postop morbidity lower with laparoscopic versus open resection of colorectal liver metastases

by Elana Gotkine

edited by Gaby Clark, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

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For patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) is associated with lower postoperative morbidity than open liver resection (OLR), with similar long-term oncologic outcomes, according to a study published online Oct. 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Bram Olij, M.D., from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, and colleagues compared postoperative and long-term oncologic outcomes after LLR versus OLR for CRLM in a meta-analysis using individual participant data from eligible randomized clinical trials. A total of 761 patients were included (384 laparoscopic and 377 open).

The researchers found that compared with open surgery, postoperative morbidity was lower in patients assigned to laparoscopic surgery (19% versus 27%). Morbidity did not differ between the groups among patients who received preoperative systemic therapy (25% versus 24%). Ninety-day mortality was 1.8% and 0.8% after LLR and OLR, respectively. Overall survival and disease-free survival did not differ between the groups after a median follow-up of 93 months.

"The findings are consistent with the published trial-level reports from the included randomized studies and indicate that assignment to the laparoscopic approach is associated with lower postoperative morbidity and shorter hospital stays, whereas long-term oncologic outcomes were similar between groups," the authors write.

Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.

Publication details

Bram Olij et al., Laparoscopic Versus Open Liver Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases, Annals of Internal Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.7326/annals-26-02171

Journal information: Annals of Internal Medicine

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OncologyGeneral surgery Who's behind this story?

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Citation: Postop morbidity lower with laparoscopic versus open resection of colorectal liver metastases (2026, November 2) retrieved 2 November 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-11-postop-morbidity-laparoscopic-resection-colorectal.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.