The origin of International Laparoscopic Liver Society

After the two consensus meetings on laparoscopic liver resection (Louisville 2008 and Morioka 2014), it appeared that there was a need for regular updates on the subject. This requires more than scattered sessions during HPB meetings or post-graduate courses.

Therefore, it seemed that a recurrent specific congress was needed. Such a congress will allow enough time to be spent on advances in the field since the preceding meeting, with focus on established indications and techniques, innovations and evolving guidelines. It was also clear to all present in Morioka, that International Registries are required. It was already part of the conclusions of the Louisville meeting and a requirement from the Jury in Morioka.

A group of Surgeons involved in the field since its beginning (Cherqui, Wakabayashi, O’Rourke, Geller, Buell, Soubrane, Han) created the International Laparoscopic Liver Society (ILLS). It was officially launched in Sao Paulo on April 21, 2016 with its inaugural General Assembly.

We are all liver surgeons in this group and we believe that Laparoscopic Liver Resection should be performed by trained HPB surgeons. 

Therefore, this endeavor clearly remains in the field of our specialty. However, Laparoscopic Liver Resection is not just another tool in our armamentarium but it is a significant change requiring the acquisition of a totally new set of skills by the liver surgeon. Due its high and specific technical requirements, laparoscopic liver surgery deserves special attention.

The aims of this association are:

• to organize a biannual congress dedicated to Laparoscopic Liver Surgery

• to coordinate International Registries

• to provide a website serving as a forum supporting collaboration between surgeons interested in the advancement of Laparoscopic Liver Resection techniques

• to help in the education of surgeons wishing to learn these techniques

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All for a meaningful improvement in patience care.

Welcome to ILLS!