Objective: To compare the clinical efficacies and safety of primary versus second liver resection for recurrent colorectal metastases to liver.
Methods: Between January 2000 and March 2011, a total of 126 patients underwent liver resections for metastases from colorectal cancer at our institution. Among these, 16 patients underwent repeat liver resections. The comparisons were made for primary and second liver resections in blood loss volume, complications, hospital stay, operative duration and 1, 3, 5- year survival rates.
Results: Compared with primary liver resection group, the 1, 3, 5-year survival rates of second liver resection group were 93.8%, 56.1% and 37.4% respectively. For second hepatectomy group, blood loss volume was (323.8 ± 230.9) ml, operative duration (216.9 ± 79.7) min, postoperative hospital stay (23.4 ± 13.9) days and complication rate 18.8%. Compared with primary hepatectomy, there was no difference between two groups.
Conclusion: Second liver resection may provide long-term survival rates similar to those of primary liver resections. Repeat liver resection is warranted when potentially curative.