To investigate the efficacy and safety of three surgical methods for resection of liver metastases of colorectal cancer.

From January 2014 to January 2017, clinical data of 108 patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer who underwent surgery were analyzed retrospectively. According to different surgical methods, patients were divided into 3D group (n=35) who underwent 3D laparoscopic-assisted hepatic metastasis resection, 2D group (n=33) who underwent 2D laparoscopic-assisted hepatic metastasis resection, and laparotomy group (n=40) who underwent traditional open hepatic metastasis resection. Statistical analysis were performed by using SPSS 23.0 software. Surgical indicators were expressed as (±s). The mean comparison between multiple groups was analyzed by single factor analysis of variance, and the pairwise comparison between multiple groups was tested by using LSD. Total incidence of complications and survival were expressed as rate and were examined by using χ² test, A P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant difference.

In terms of operation time, intraoperative blood loss, anal exhaust time, and hospitalization time, comparison between three groups were as following: laparotomy group> 2D group> 3D group, with significant difference (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the survival rate between the three groups 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after surgery (P>0.05). The total incidence of complications in the 3D group (11.4%) was not significantly different from 9.1% in the 2D group (P>0.05); the incidence of complications in the laparotomy group (30.0%) was higher than those in the 3D group and 2D group respectively (P<0.05).

The use of 3D laparoscopy for resection of liver metastases of colorectal cancer could reduce the operation time, the complications with a faster postoperative recovery. However, it has no obvious advantage in improving the long-term survival.