Role of Minimally Invasive Surgery in Hepatopancreatobiliary Diseases
Keywords:
minimally invasive surgery; hepatopancreatobiliary surgery; laparoscopy; robotic surgery; liver resection; pancreatectomy; common bile duct; surgical outcomesAbstract
Introduction: Minimally invasive surgery has progressively transformed the treatment of hepatopancreatobiliary diseases. Advances in technology, combined with accumulated experience, have allowed for the expansion of its indications in hepatic, pancreatic, and biliary procedures, traditionally considered highly complex.
Objective: To analyze the current evidence and outcomes regarding the application of minimally invasive surgery in hepatopancreatobiliary diseases, with an emphasis on its efficacy, safety, and oncological outcomes compared to open surgery.
Methods: A critical narrative review was conducted of the literature published between 2015 and 2025 in the PubMed, Scopus, SciELO, and Google Scholar databases. Relevant original studies, systematic reviews, clinical guidelines, and meta-analyses in English and Spanish were selected. The available evidence on perioperative outcomes, complications, mortality, survival, and costs was evaluated.
Results: Laparoscopic and robotic surgery demonstrated significant advantages in reducing blood loss, hospital stay, and functional recovery. In selected liver and pancreatic resections, oncological outcomes were comparable to those of open surgery, provided that strict selection criteria were met and adequate surgical experience was available. However, limitations related to the learning curve, costs, and technological accessibility persist.
Conclusions: Minimally invasive surgery is a safe and effective alternative for hepatopancreatobiliary diseases when performed in specialized centers. Current evidence supports its progressive expansion, although the consolidation of its benefits requires standardization of techniques and long-term comparative studies.
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