Early postoperative outcomes following hepatic resection for benign liver disease in 79 consecutive patients

Background: Liver resection is an accepted treatment modality for malignant disease of the liver. However, because of its potential morbidity and mortality, the practice of liver resection in benign disease is more controversial. This study was designed to assess the early outcomes of 79 consecutive liver resections for benign disease over a 12-year period and compare these with early outcomes of 390 consecutive liver resections for metastatic colorectal cancer (MCRC) during the same period.

Methods: Consecutive liver resections were carried out in a single hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) centre between 1996 and 2008. Patient demographics and early outcomes were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using spss (Version 15). P < 0.05 was considered to be significant.

Results: There was no difference in median age between the benign group vs. the MCRC group (P = 0.181). However, there was a significant trend towards a lower ASA grade in the benign group (P < 0.001). There was no difference in median blood loss (P = 0.139) or hospital stay (P = 0.262). Morbidity rates were 8.9% in the benign group and 20.5% in the MCRC group (P = 0.002). The rate of serious complications was 1.3% in the benign group compared with 4.4% in the MCRC group (P = 0.041). There were no postoperative deaths in the benign group and eight (2%) in the MCRC group (P = 0.004).

Conclusions: Liver resection for benign liver tumours can be undertaken with a mortality rate approaching zero and minimal morbidity in specialist HPB units.