The results of surgery for colorectal hepatic metastases following expansion of the indications in 2005

Abstract

Aim: Safety and survival were investigated in patients treated according to expanded surgical indications for colorectal hepatic metastases.

Method: A retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who underwent resection of colorectal hepatic metastases at Zhongshan Hospital from 2000 to 2010 was conducted. The patients were divided into two groups based on a change in the surgical indications introduced in 2005. Patients in Group I underwent hepatic surgery between 2000 and 2004 and those in Group II between 2005 and 2010. The clinicopathological data and survival rates of both groups were analysed.

Results: There were 530 patients who underwent hepatic surgery between 2000 and 2010. After the expansion of surgical indications, the rate of surgical resection rose from 25.1 to 35.1% (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in perioperative mortality (2.2% vs 0.9%) or morbidity (20.9% vs 29.8%). Recurrence occurred in 27.5% and 36.7% in Groups I and II, respectively, and 5-year overall survival was 43% and 49%, respectively (not significant).

Conclusion: Expanding the indications for surgical resection of hepatic metastases increased the resection rate but had no significant effect on survival.

Keywords: Colorectal hepatic metastases; overall survival; surgical indications.