Aims: Colorectal liver metastases are treated by a combination of adjuvant chemotherapy followed by liver resection. In this study we compared all major right-sided resections with left or parenchymal sparing resections.
Methods: Consecutive patients (n=283) who had successful hepatic resections for colorectal metastases from September 1996 to November 2006 were prospectively studied. Early and late outcomes of those who had right and extended right hepatectomies (RH) were compared with those who had all other types of liver resection (AOLR). Adjuvant therapy and pre-operative assessment were standardised for all.
Results: The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates in the RH group were 84.1%, 54.3% and 38.9%, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates in the AOLR group were 95.4%, 65.9% and 53.3%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (p=0.03). The 1-, 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates in the RH group were 69.5%, 34.4% and 25.5%, respectively and 68.4%, 34.91% and 34.91%, respectively in the AOLR group (p=0.46). Operative mortality was 3.9% in the RH group and 0.7% in the AOLR group (p=0.04). Morbidity was 31.3% in the RH group and 18% in the AOLR group.
Conclusion: Patients undergoing right and extended right hepatectomies for colorectal metastases have a greater operative morbidity and mortality and have a significantly worse overall survival compared to all other liver resections for the same disease.