Objective: Laparoscopy is now becoming an established technique for liver resection. However, this procedure is still limited to centers with experience in both hepatic and laparoscopic surgery. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and long-term results of laparoscopic hepatectomy for primary liver cancer. Subject and method: A prospective intervention study was conducted in 70 patients, including 67 hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and 03 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (IHCs) whom underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy at No.108 Military Central Hospital and Viet Duc Hospital, from January 2011 to November 2014. Result: The mean age was 50.4 +/- 14 years old, the ratio of male to female was 2.9/1. Types of resection included major resection (3.3 percent) and minor resection (96.7 percent). The mean tumor size was 4.9 +/- 2.05cm. Conversion to laparotomy was required in 10 (14.3 percent) patients. Anatomical liver resection was performed in 75 percent patients and non-anatomical resection was performed in 25 percent patients. The operative time was 109.0 +/- 34.8 (50-210) minutes. Mean intraoperative blood loss was 420.5 +/- 374.6 (30-2000) ml. Intra-operative complications occurred mainly in the early cases, including 03 patients (4.3 percent) suffered from bleeding. Postoperative complications occurred in 9 patients (15.0 percent). The mean hospital stay was 7.6 +/- 2.9 days (3-21). The mean overall survival time was 37.6 months. The 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival rates were 93.7 percent
83.3 percent and 67.2 percent respectively. Conclusion: The laparoscopic approach for primary liver cancer is feasible if the indication is well selected. The safety of this procedure depends on surgical experience and the availability of necessary equipments.