Complications of Liver Resection: Laparoscopic Versus Open Procedures

Background and Objective:

Minimally invasive surgery for liver resection remains controversial. This study was designed to compare open versus laparoscopic surgical approaches to liver resection.

Methods:

We performed a single-center retrospective chart review.

Results:

We compared 45 laparoscopic liver resections with 17 open cases having equivalent resections based on anatomy and diagnosis. The overall complication rate was 25.8%. More open resection patients had complications (52.9% vs 15.5%, P < .008). The conversion rate was 11.1%. The mean blood loss was 667.1 ± 1450 mL in open cases versus 47.8 ± 89 mL in laparoscopic cases (P < .0001). Measures of intravenous narcotic use, intensive care unit length of stay, and hospital length of stay all favored the laparoscopic group. Patients were more likely to have complications or morbidity in the open resection group than in the laparoscopic group for both the anterolateral (P < .085) and posterosuperior (P < .002) resection subgroups.

Conclusion:

In this series comparing laparoscopic and open liver resections, there were fewer complications, more rapid recovery, and lower morbidity in the laparoscopic group, even for those resections involving the posterosuperior segments of the liver.     

肝癌解剖性肝切除的初步经验

目的总结行解剖性肝切除的经验及结果。方法2004年1月至2005年6月期间,我们对93例肝细胞癌患者进行解剖性肝切除,对相应外科技术进行改进以减少术中出血、输血及术后并发症。切肝采用血管钳钳夹肝组织,暴露肝内管道后再结扎,选择性阻断出、入肝血流;对13例巨大肿瘤行半肝切除时采用肝脏悬吊法,切肝时采用间断Pringle法阻断肝门。结果93例肝癌患者中82例(88%)伴有不同程度的肝硬变,平均出血量300ml(100~6000ml),71%(66/93)病例不需输血。术后并发症发生率为34%(32/93),膈下积液多发,共8例。术后30d内无手术死亡。结论解剖性肝切除可能提高手术疗效。     

Repeat Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Complicating Primary Biliary Cirrhosis

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicating primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) is between 0.7% and 16%. Repeat liver resection for recurrent HCC complicating PBC is not usually performed and not published because this approach is not generally applicable due to liver dysfunction. We applied repeat liver resection for these diseases. Three patients were diagnosed with PBC. The first HCC was noted at a mean of 6 years (4–17 years) after diagnosis of PBC. The second HCC occurred at a mean of 2.5 years (0.4–3 years) after the first surgery. All patients were treated with curative resection on first and second surgery. The mean overall survival time after the first liver resection was 46 months. Repeat liver resection for recurrent HCC complicating PBC is an option and may improve the outcome.     

Clinicopathologic Features and Outcome After Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Concurrent Versus Previous Chronic Hepatitis B

Purpose We compared the clinicopathologic features affecting outcome after surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) between patients with concurrent and previous chronic hepatitis B.Methods Group A consisted of 58 patients with concurrent chronic hepatitis B, defined by seropositivity for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), and group B consisted of 18 patients whose HCC was detected after disappearance of the HBsAg. We assessed the influence of various characteristics on outcome.Results The mean age and percentage of patients suffering from alcohol abuse or diabetes mellitus were significantly greater in group B than in group A, whereas histologic hepatitis activity, hepatic fibrosis, and alanine aminotransferase activity were significantly lower in group B than in group A. The tumor-free survival rates were similar between the two groups, but the risk factors of recurrence differed. In group A, relative youth, high aspartate aminotransferase activity, low platelet count, multiple tumors, large tumor size, portal invasion, cirrhosis, nonanatomic resection, and positive surgical margin were risk factors. In group B, large tumor size and poor differentiation were risk factors.Conclusion Hepatitis B status, tumor factors, and the type of operation affected cancer recurrence after surgery for HCC in patients with concurrent chronic HBV, as opposed to only tumor factors in patients with previous chronic hepatitis B.     

Prognostic Factors After Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Nonfibrotic or Moderately Fibrotic Liver. A 116-Case European Series

The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing prognosis after resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in the noncirrhotic liver and to measure the impact of moderate fibrosis on presentation and prognosis. A series of 116 primary procedures were performed for hepatocellular carcinoma in the noncirrhotic liver. These cases accounted for 42% of hepatic resections performed for hepatocellular carcinoma during the study period (1987–2005). Seventy-seven cases (58%) occurred in patients with nonfibrotic livers (Metavir score F0). The mean age was 61 years. The sex ratio was 3.5, with a female predominance before 50 years. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus infection was found in 30% of patients. Symptoms were present in 64% of cases. Elevated serum alpha fetoprotein levels were observed in 44% of cases. Procedures involved minor hepatectomy in 40 cases, major hepatectomy in 72 cases, and transplantation in 4 cases. Postoperative mortality was 6% and morbidity was 31%. Complete resection was achieved in 90% of cases. The tumor was isolated in 72% of cases. The mean tumor diameter was 10.6 cm. Vascular invasion was observed in 48% of cases. Hepatocellular carcinoma in the nonfibrotic liver was associated with younger age and female sex, but there was no difference with other hepatocellular carcinoma with regard to histological or prognostic features. With a median follow-up of 79 months, overall survival was 40% for a median of 41 months. Multivariate analysis identified incomplete resection, vascular invasion, and HBV infection as independent factors of poor prognosis. In case of recurrence, repeat resection was feasible in 30% of cases with 69% survival at 5 years. Although hepatocellular carcinoma in the noncirrhotic liver is generally diagnosed at an advanced stage, its resectability remains high. As a result, hepatocellular carcinoma in the noncirrhotic liver accounts for a large proportion of cases in surgical series and has a better prognosis than hepatocellular carcinoma in the cirrhotic liver. Vascular invasion, incomplete resection, and HBV infection are independent factors of poor prognosis. No competing interests declared.     

Rates and Patterns of Recurrence for Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation and Open Wedge Resection for Solitary Colorectal Liver Metastasis

Introduction The purpose of this study was to compare rates and patterns of disease progression following percutaneous, image-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and nonanatomic wedge resection for solitary colorectal liver metastases. Methods We identified 30 patients who underwent nonanatomic wedge resection for solitary liver metastases and 22 patients who underwent percutaneous RFA because of prior major hepatectomy (50%), major medical comorbidities (41%), or relative unresectability (9%). Serial imaging studies were retrospectively reviewed for evidence of local tumor progression. Results Patients in the RFA group were more likely to have undergone prior liver resection, to have a disease-free interval greater than 1 year, and to have had an abnormal carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level before treatment. Two-year local tumor progression-free survival (PFS) was 88% in the Wedge group and 41% in the RFA group. Two patients in the RFA group underwent re-ablation, and two patients underwent resection to improve the 2-year local tumor disease-free survival to 55%. Approximately 30% of patients in each group presented with distant metastasis as a component of their first recurrence. Median overall survival from the time of resection was 80 months in the Wedge group vs 31 months in the RFA group. However, overall survival from the time of treatment of the colorectal primary was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusions Local tumor progression is common after percutaneous RFA. Surgical resection remains the gold standard treatment for patients who are candidates for resection. For patients who are poor candidates for resection, RFA may help to manage local disease, but close follow-up and retreatment are necessary to achieve optimal results. Presented at the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract 47th Annual Meeting, May 22, 2006, Los Angeles, California. White and Avital contributed equally.     

Laparoscopic Liver Resection for Tumors in the Left Lateral Liver Section

Background:

The laparoscopic approach is increasingly adopted for liver resections today especially for lesions located in the left lateral liver section. This study was conducted to determine the impact of the introduction of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) as a surgical option for suspected small- to medium-sized (<8 cm) tumors located in the left lateral section (LLS).

Methods:

This is a retrospective review of 156 consecutive patients who underwent LLR or open liver resection (OLR) of tumors located in the LLS. The study was divided into 2 consecutive periods (period 1, January 2003 through September 2006, and period 2, October 2006 through April 2014); LLR was available as a surgical option only in the latter period. Comparisons made were LLR versus OLR, LLR versus OLR (in period 2 only), and resections performed in period 1 versus period 2.

Results:

Forty-two patients underwent LLR with 4 conversions. LLR was significantly associated with a longer median operative time [167.5 minutes (range, 60–525) vs 105 minutes (range, 40–235); P < .001], decreased need for the Pringle maneuver [n = 1 (2%) vs 22 (19%); P = .008], and shorter postoperative stay [n = 4 (range, 1–10) days vs 5 days (range, 2–47); P < .001] compared with open resection. Comparison of the 42 patients who underwent LLR with the 64 contemporaneous patients who underwent OLR demonstrated similar outcomes. Again, LLR was associated with a significantly longer operation, decreased need for the Pringle maneuver, and shorter hospital stay.

Conclusions:

LLR can be safely adopted to treat lesions in the LLS. The procedure is associated with a shorter postoperative stay and a decreased need for the Pringle maneuver, but longer operative time compared with that required for OLR.     

肝细胞癌术后MRI表现

目的研究肝细胞癌术后肝脏切缘单纯术后改变与复发的MRI表现特征。方法手术后病理证实为肝细胞癌、术后定期复查或临床怀疑复发采用MRI检查的病例共20例。MRI包括：T1WI横断面平扫和横断面、冠状面增强扫描．VIBE序列扫描．T2WI横断面平扫，冠状面TrueFisp序列扫描。结果肝脏切缘单纯术后改变13例、复发6例、可疑复发1例；残肝内复发12例，其中侵犯左、右肝管及肝总管3例；肝门、门腔间隙及腹膜后淋巴结肿大3例，腹膜、肠系膜广泛种植2例。结论MRI能鉴别肝脏切缘单纯术后改变和复发，早期发现肝内、外复发灶。     

Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Surgical Resection for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhosis

Background and Aims Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) demonstrated good results for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients; it is still not clear whether the overall survival and disease-free survival after RFA are comparable with surgical resection. The aims of this study are to compare the overall survival and disease-free survival in two groups of cirrhotic patients with HCC submitted to surgery or RFA. Methods Two hundred cirrhotic patients with HCCs smaller than 6 cm were included in this retrospective study: 109 underwent RFA and 91 underwent surgical resection at a single Division of Surgery of University of Verona. Results Median follow-up time was 27 months. Overall survival was significantly longer in the resection group in comparison with the RFA group with a median survival of 57 and 28 months, respectively (P = 0.01). In Child–Pugh class B patients and in patients with multiple HCC, survival was not significantly different between the two groups. In patients with HCC smaller than 3 cm, the overall survival and disease-free survival for RFA and resection were not significantly different in univariate and multivariate analysis. Whereas in patients with HCC greater than 3 cm, surgery showed improvement in outcome in both univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusions Surgical resection significantly improves the overall survival and disease-free survival in comparison with RFA. In a selected group of patients (Child–Pugh class B, multiple HCC, or in HCC ≤3 cm), the results between the two treatments did not show significant differences.     

Short- and Medium-Term Outcome of Robot-Assisted and Traditional Laparoscopic Rectal Resection

Background:

Traditional laparoscopic anterior rectal resection (TLAR) has recently been used for rectal cancer, offering good functional results compared with open anterior resection and resulting in a better postoperative early outcome. However, laparoscopic rectal resection can be technically demanding, especially when a total mesorectal excision is required. The aim of this study was to verify whether robot-assisted anterior rectal resection (RLAR) could overcome limitations of the laparoscopic approach.

Methods:

Sixty-six patients with rectal cancer were enrolled in the study. Twenty-nine patients underwent RLAR and 37 TLAR. Groups were matched for age, BMI, sex ratio, ASA status, and TNM stage, and were followed up for a mean time of 12 months.

Results:

Robot-assisted laparoscopic rectal resection results in shorter operative time when a total mesorectal excision is performed (165.9±10 vs 210±37 minutes; P<0.05). The conversion rate is significantly lower for RLAR (P<0.05). Postoperative morbidity was comparable between groups. Overall survival and disease-free survival were comparable between groups, even though a trend towards better disease-free survival in the RLAR group was observed.

Conclusion:

RLAR is a safe and feasible procedure that facilitates laparoscopic total mesorectal excision. Randomized clinical trials and longer follow-ups are needed to evaluate a possible influence of RLAR on patient survival.     

Long-Term Survival After Report Resection of Pulmonary Metastases from Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Report of Two Cases

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is often treated most effectively by resection. Although improved surgical procedures and perioperative care have made hepatic resection safe, the prognosis of patients with HCC is still poor because of the high incidence of postoperative recurrence. The most common site of extrahepatic recurrence is the lung. However, because of its multiplicity and concurrent recurrence in the liver remnant, resection of pulmonary metastases form HCC is rarely beneficial. We report two cases of long-term survival after repeated pulmonary resection of metastasis from HCC. At the time of this report the two patients were free of disease, 110 months and 107 months, respectively, after their initial hepatectomy. These case reports show that pulmonary metastases from HCC can be successfully resected in selected patients.     

Undifferentiated Embryonal Sarcoma of the Liver Successfully Treated With Chemotherapy and Liver Resection

Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma is the third most common malignant tumor of the liver in children, accounting for 13% of hepatic malignancies in this age group. It has been considered an aggressive neoplasm with very poor prognosis until the late 1980s, when long-term survivors were reported after multiagent chemotherapy followed by resection. We, herein, report two pediatric cases of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma treated successfully with surgical resection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on therapy used in childhood soft tissue sarcomas and in childhood hepatic malignancies. The first patient also had a concurrent cerebellar tumor (pilocytic astrocytoma), for which he first underwent craniotomy and resection, delaying the liver tumor resection by 10 weeks. They are alive and tumor free at 48 months (case no. 1) and 18 months (case no. 2) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and liver resection. This paper was presented as a poster at the American Hepato–Pancreato–Biliary Association Annual Meeting, March 10, 2006, Miami Beach, Florida, USA     

肝癌根治术联合阿德福韦酯对原发性肝癌根治术后的复发转移和生存期的影响

目的研究肝癌根治术联合阿德福韦酯对原发性肝癌根治术后的复发转移和生存期的影响。方法 80例原发性肝癌患者术后均经病理学确诊。根据肝癌根治术后是否服用阿德福韦酯随机分为观察组和对照组各40例,比较两组患者的复发转移和生存期情况。结果观察组患者术后2年的肝内复发率明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;两组患者术后1年、2年内生存率分别比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;两组患者平均复发或转移时间、中位生存期比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论肝癌根治术联合阿德福韦酯疗效确切,能降低肝癌的复发率,明显改善患者患者肝功能和病毒学指标,延长患者的生存期。     

Prognostic Impact of Sarcomatous Change of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients Undergoing Liver Resection and Liver Transplantation

Sarcomatous change has been rarely observed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but it is usually associated with very aggressive tumor behavior and widespread metastasis. To assess the impact of sarcomatous changes, we analyzed the outcomes of 15 patients with sarcomatous HCC after resection (n = 11) or liver transplantation (LT) (n = 4). No imaging findings characteristic of sarcomatous changes were observed. According to modified pathological tumor-node metastasis staging, the HCC lesions were classified as stage II in five patients, stage III in six, stage IVa2 in two, and stage IVb in one. The Milan criteria were met in 7 of 15 patients, including 3 of 4 in the LT group. R0 resection was achieved in 9 of 11 resected patients, and their 3-year overall and disease-free survival rates were both 18.2%. In the LT group, 3-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 37.5 and 25%, respectively. In patients within the Milan criteria, 2-year overall survival rate was 25% after resection and 33% after LT, showing no prognostic difference. Extrahepatic metastasis as initial recurrence was detected in 80% after resection and 66.7% after LT. In conclusion, we found that the prognosis of patients with sarcomatous HCC was very unfavorable after either resection or LT and that, except for liver biopsy, no diagnostic method could distinguish between sarcomatous and ordinary HCC. Vigorous postoperative systemic surveillance may be helpful for timely detection and treatment of localized metastases.     

肝脏肿瘤的微创治疗——从腹腔镜到机器人

目的探讨完全腹腔镜、手助式腹腔镜及机器人三种微创手术方式在肝脏切除术中的可行性、安全性及适用范围。方法回顾性分析上海交通大学医学院附属瑞金医院普外科自2004年9月至20l2年1月期间完成的微创肝脏切除术(minimally invasive liver resection,MILR)128例患者的临床资料,根据手术方式分为完全腹腔镜肝脏切除术(pure laparoscopic resection,PLR)组、手助式腹腔镜肝脏切除术(hand-assisted laparoscopicresection,HALR)组及机器人辅助肝脏切除术(robotic liver resection,RLR)组,分别观察3组患者术中与术后恢复情况并进行对比分析。结果 PLR组82例,中转开腹3例,手术时间为(145.4±54.4)min(40～290 min)、术中出血量为(249.3±255.7)ml(30～1 500 ml),术后并发腹腔感染3例,胆瘘5例,经保守治疗后痊愈,无围手术期死亡,术后住院时间为(7.1±3.8)d(2～34 d)。HALR组35例,中转开腹3例,手术时间为(182.7±59.2)min(60～300 min)、术中出血量为(754.3±785.2)ml(50～3 000 ml),术后并发腹腔感染1例,胆瘘2例,切口感染2例,经保守治疗后痊愈,无二次手术,术后住院时间为(15.4±3.7)d(12～30 d)。RLR组11例,中转开腹2例,手术时间为(129.5±33.5)min(120～200 min)、术中出血量为(424.5±657.5)ml(50～5 000 ml),术后并发腹腔感染1例,胆瘘1例,经保守治疗后痊愈,术后住院时间为(6.4±1.6)d(5～9 d)。3组中,RLR组手术时间最短(P=0.001),术后住院时间最短(P=0.000),PLR组术中出血量最少(P=0.000),其差异均有统计学意义。结论肝脏肿瘤微创切除术安全、可行,临床工作中,需要根据不同的病例选择不同的手术方式。机器人辅助肝脏切除术为肝脏肿瘤的微创治疗带来了新的突破。     

Resection Versus Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation Of Solitary Colorectal Liver Metastasis

Purpose  There is scant data in the literature regarding radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) versus resection of colorectal liver metastases. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical profile and survival of patients with solitary colorectal liver metastasis undergoing resection versus laparoscopic RFA. Methods  Between 1996 and 2007, 158 patients underwent RFA (n = 68) and open liver resection (n = 90) of solitary liver metastasis from colorectal cancer. Patients were evaluated in a multidisciplinary fashion and allocated to a treatment type. Data were collected prospectively for the RFA patients and retrospectively for the resection patients. Results  Although the groups were matched for age, gender, chemotherapy exposure and tumor size, RFA patients tended to have a higher ASA score and presence of extra-hepatic disease (EHD) at the time of treatment. The main indication for referral to RFA included technical reasons (n = 25), patient comorbidities (n = 24), extra-hepatic disease (n = 10) and patient decision (n = 9). There were no peri-operative mortalities in either group. The complication rate was 2.9% (n = 2) for RFA and 31.1% (n = 28) for resection. The overall Kaplan–Meier median actuarial survival from the date of surgery was 24 months for RFA patients with EHD, 34 months for RFA patients without EHD and 57 months for resection patients (p < 0.0001). The 5-year actual survival was 30% for RFA patients and 40% for resection patients (p = 0.35). Conclusions  This study shows that, although patients in both groups had a solitary liver metastasis, other factors including medical comorbidities, technically challenging tumor locations and extra-hepatic disease were different, prompting selection of therapy. With a simultaneous ablation program, higher risk patients have been channeled to RFA, leaving a highly selected group of patients for resection with a very favorable survival. RFA still achieved long-term survival in patients who were otherwise not candidates for resection.     

腹腔镜肝切除治疗肝脏肿瘤的临床探讨

目的探讨腹腔镜肝切除治疗肝脏肿瘤的临床疗效及手术方法的可行性和优缺点。方法 2009年1月至2011年8月期间我科为32例肝脏肿瘤患者施行腹腔镜下肝脏切除治疗,对其临床资料进行回顾性总结分析。结果采用腹腔镜下解剖性肝脏切除29例,非解剖性肝脏切除3例,32例患者手术均获得成功,包括原发性肝癌23例,转移性肝癌5例,肝血管瘤3例,肝局灶性结节性增生1例。腹腔镜肝切除包括左外叶切除(Ⅱ+Ⅲ段)17例,左内叶切除(Ⅳ段)2例(左外叶已切除),左半肝切除(Ⅱ+Ⅲ+Ⅳ段)8例,Ⅴ段切除1例,Ⅵ段切除1例,Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ段部分肝切除3例。肝切除手术时间75～285 min,平均215 min;术中出血115～760 ml,平均365 ml。未发生胆汁漏、出血、气体栓塞等并发症。术后1～3 d肛门排气、胃肠功能恢复后进食,5～11 d(平均6 d)恢复出院。随访31例,随访时间6～32个月,平均18个月,除1例术后1年因肿瘤复发转移死亡外,其余均健在,健在肿瘤患者未发现复发、转移。结论腹腔镜肝切除治疗肝脏肿瘤创伤小,痛苦少,康复快,能达到根治要求,安全、可行,临床疗效好。     

挽救性肝移植治疗肝癌切除术后复发的价值研究

目的 探讨挽救性肝移植(SLT)的手术安全性及对患者预后的影响.方法 回顾性分析复旦大学附属中山医院肝外科2001年6月至2008年12月期间连续289例肝癌肝移植(符合UCSF标准)患者的临床资料,其中242例患者行初始肝移植(PLT),即PLT组,47例患者行SLT,即SLT组,比较2组患者围手术期及长期生存情况的差异.结果 2组患者的平均年龄、性别构成及肿瘤情况差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).SLT组的手术时间要长于PLT组[(7.1±1.8)h比(6.4±1.4)h,P=0.004],但2组患者的术中出血量[(2 560.5±2 683.6)ml比(2 042.9±2 006.2)ml,P=0.173]及术中输血量[(13.8±12.9)U比(9.9±12.6)U,P=0.087]比较差异均无统计学意义,SLT组患者从第1次手术切除至行肝移植的间隔时间为(32.8±32.4)个月.截至2009年12月,2组患者中位随访时间为38.7个月,SLT组与PLT组患者的3年生存率(82.3%比75.5%,P=0.312)和3年无瘤生存率(78.8%比70.1%,P＝0.755)之间比较差异均无统计学意义.但按意向性治疗分析,SLT组患者的3年生存率明显优于PLT组(88.4%比76.2%,P＝0.047).结论 SLT并不增加移植手术的风险,也不影响患者的长期预后,对部分病例,先行手术切除再行肝移植可作为肝癌治疗的一种有效策略.     

通过转化治疗提高结直肠癌肝转移手术切除率的新进展

目的了解通过转化治疗提高结直肠癌肝转移手术切除率的外科治疗新进展,评估预后评估模型在肝内转移灶切除术后的应用价值,进一步指导患者术后的综合治疗,从而控制疾病快速进展,改善患者的生存质量。方法收集国内外有关结直肠癌肝转移外科治疗新进展的文献,就结直肠癌肝转移的手术切除指征、预后评估模型以及如何通过转化治疗提高其手术切除率的新进展进行综述。结果通过积极的转化治疗,能够使部分结直肠癌肝转移患者接受手术切除肝内转移灶。对于自始至终均无法接受手术切除肝内转移灶的患者,术前化疗、分子靶向治疗药物、多种介入治疗等转化治疗方案均不失为安全、有效的治疗方法,其对患者的生活质量的提高、生存时间的延长有一定的效果。结论我们应该加强对结直肠癌肝转移转化治疗的重视,积极推动预后评估模型在肝内转移灶切除术后的应用。     

The Outcome of Surgical Resection Versus Assignment to the Liver Transplant Waiting List for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background Optimal management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is controversial. This study was conducted to evaluate the outcome of tumor resection versus assignment to a liver transplant waiting list (WL) in patients with HCC.Methods Prospectively collected patient data from 1970 to 1997 on 313 patients with HCC were retrospectively analyzed by multivariate analysis to determine the effect of liver disease, method of treatment, and tumor-related factors on survival.Results A total of 199 patients underwent nonsurgical palliative care (PC), 81 underwent partial liver resection (LR), and 33 were assigned to a liver transplant WL, of which 22 received a donor liver. A total of 91%, 53%, and 91% of the patients had cirrhotic livers in the PC, LR, and WL groups, respectively (P < .001). In the LR group, the absence of a tumor capsule (P < .0001) and a poorly differentiated tumor (P = .027) were both adverse prognostic factors. In the WL group, hepatitis B (P = .02) and American Joint Committee on Cancer tumor stage III (P = .019) were adverse prognostic factors. The 3-year survival rates were 4%, 33%, and 38% for the PC, LR, and WL patients, respectively (P < .0001). The 3-year survival rate in the LR patients was 51% in patients without cirrhosis and 15% in patients with cirrhosis (P < .0001).Conclusions Patients with locally unresectable tumors, distant disease, or both will continue to receive PC. Patients assigned to liver transplant WLs run the risk of not receiving a donor liver, in which case their survival is predicted to be poor. Survival after resection in a group of patients with advanced tumors is worse than that after transplantation; however, shortages of donor livers presently preclude transplantation in this population of patients.