Minimally invasive approaches to hepatic surgery

During the last 10 years we have seen dramatic changes in minimally invasiv e surgery. Important advancements in videoscopy, instrumentation, and surgi cal skills have allowed us to perform surgical procedures recently viewed a s well outside the domain of minimally invasive surgeon. Solid organ surger y has become common place; in particular, hepatic surgery has been shown to be amenable to minimally invasive techniques. Benign cyst excision, absces s drainage, local tumor ablation, and liver resection are all hepatic proce dures described in recent literature. Though it is clear that the trend tow ard less invasive alternatives towards open liver surgery will continue, pr oper indications and utilization bf such procedures requires careful scruti ny using outcome oriented research. This paper gives a brief overview of th e technology available and its application in minimally invasive approaches to liver surgery.