In recent years, the concept of minimally invasive laparoscopic liver surgery has gained popularity because of its “minimally invasive” nature, which minimizes intraoperative trauma to the patient and reduces the impact on liver function. In addition to laparoscopic liver surgery, robotic liver surgery has also been performed in recent years. So, how do the results of the two current minimally invasive liver surgery modalities differ? Analytical articles allow for a more objective evaluation of the evidence (compared to traditional descriptive reviews), a more accurate and objective assessment of effect indicators, and the ability to explain heterogeneity between the results of different studies, in full agreement with the idea of evidence-based medicine. Montalti, a hepatobiliary surgeon from Ghent University, Belgium
R et al. performed a meta-analysis of the outcomes of laparoscopic liver and robotic liver surgery worldwide between 2010 and 2014, with the results published in the July 2015 issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology. The results showed that laparoscopic liver surgery was associated with less bleeding and shorter operative time in the former compared with robotic liver surgery; while there was no difference in the surgical turnaround rate, R1 resection rate, complication rate and length of stay between the two. Therefore, for the time being, laparoscopic liver surgery is superior to robotic liver surgery. However, it remains to be seen whether robotic liver surgery can show advantages in some specific patients, as the robotics technology develops and matures in the future.