Traditional vs. Robotic Liver Resection Surgery

Surgery is often an important part of liver cancer treatment. The liver is a unique organ in that after a damaged section is removed, the remainder can gradually regenerate itself. Therefore, the goal of liver resection surgery is to remove a tumor while preserving a sufficient portion of the organ to maintain liver function.

The type of surgery recommended for treating liver cancer will depend on the location, stage and extent of the tumor and other patient-specific factors. Furthermore, the approach via open vs. robotic surgery is also guided by the patient and tumor-specific characteristics and determined on a case-by-case basis. Some commonly performed procedures include:

• Partial hepatectomy – Removal of a tumor and some surrounding tissue
• Single segmentectomy – Removal of one of the liver’s eight segments
• Sectionectomy – removal of one of the liver’s four sections
• Hepatic lobectomy/hepatectomy   – Removal of one of the liver’s two lobes

In the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center, minimally invasive liver resection surgery can be further enhanced with the use of advanced technologies such as the robotic da Vinci^® Surgical System and, most recently, the DV5 platform, which allows for smaller incisions and faster recovery times while preserving a high-quality operation.  

In the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program at Moffitt Cancer Center, some patients may be eligible for minimally invasive liver resection using a robotic approach. This option is considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on each patient’s condition and the specific features of their tumor. Using advanced technology like the da Vinci® Surgical System, including the latest DV5 platform, surgeons can perform these procedures through smaller incisions, which may lead to less pain and faster recovery while maintaining high-quality care.

In addition to minimal scarring and a faster recovery, the primary advantages of robotic liver resection surgery – as compared to traditional open surgery for liver cancer treatment – are enhanced intraoperative visualization and dexterity. This can increase surgical precision, which directly leads to better outcomes and quality of life for our patients. 

The surgical oncologists at Moffitt Cancer Center are part of a comprehensive, collaborative program for treating liver cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers. If you’d like to learn more about our approach to traditional and robotic liver resection surgery, call 1-888-663-3488 or complete a new patient registration form online. You do not need a referral to consult with an expert at Moffitt.