Increased vascular endothelial growth factor transcription in residual hepatocellular carcinoma after open versus laparoscopic hepatectomy in a small animal model.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and findings have shown that its upregulation in these tumors has an impact on tumor growth. The authors hypothesized that compared with open liver resection, laparoscopic hepatectomy would result in a decreased local angiogenic response in residual tumor cells.

Methods: Right- and left-lobe hepatomas were induced in Buffalo rats via laparoscopically guided subcapsular injection of Morris hepatoma cells.