Abstract:【Objective】 To investigate the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic liver resection and open liver resection in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. 【Methods】 Sixty cases of liver cancer patients in our hospital from January 2012 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients were divided into 2 groups: laparoscopic group (Group A, 20 cases) and laparotomy group (Group B, 40 cases). Thirteen cases in the Group A were done irregular liver resection, and 7 cases in the Group A were done the rules of hepatic left lateral lobectomy without the hands-assisted laparoscopic or open surgery. Twenty-nine cases in the Group B were done irregular liver resection, and 11 cases in the Group B were done the rules of hepatic left lateral lobectomy. The average intraoperative blood loss, the mean postoperative fasting time, mean postoperative peritoneal drainage time, mean postoperative hospital stay, perioperative liver function and coagulation function in two groups of patients were analyzed statistically. 【Results】 The mean amount of bleeding in patients in group A (246.12±234.35)mL was significantly less than group B (407.08±190.14)mL. The difference was statistically significant between the two groups (P <0.05). The mean fasting time (1.81±0.53)d, mean postoperative peritoneal drainage time (3.11±1.36)d and the mean postoperative hospital stay (8.81±2.44)d in group A was significantly shorter in group B. The difference was statistically significant between the two groups (P <0.05). Liver function of patients in group A was significantly higher than group B. The difference was statistically significant between the two groups (P <0.05). Two groups of patients were compared of coagulation. The difference was not statistically significant (P >0.05). 【Conclusion】 Laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma is relatively safe and effective to help restore the health of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. It should improve the quality of patients'life with liver cancer and be worthy of promotion.