Background/aims: Despite advances in diagnosis and treatment, the rate of complications after resection for colorectal liver metastases remains high. An awareness of risk factors is essential for the rates of morbidity and mortality to fall to optimal levels.
Materials and methods: Of the 240 patients who underwent resection for the first manifestation of colorectal liver metastases, 49 patients with lobectomy or extended hepatectomy (major resections) and 58 with wedge resections within only one liver segment (minor resections) form the basis of this report. A total of 16 variables were analyzed to find the risk factors linked to postoperative morbidity and mortality.
Results/findings: Thirty-four patients (31.8%) suffered postoperative complications, and one patient died during the hospital stay (0.9%). In the major resection group, multivariate analysis showed that neoadjuvant chemotherapy [odds ratio (OR): 2.4; p = 0.005], vascular clamping (OR: 1.4; p = 0.008), and intraoperative blood loss with transfusion of three to six packed red cell units (OR: 1.2; p = 0.029) were significantly associated with postoperative morbidity. Vascular clamping was an independent predictor for biliary fistula (OR: 1.2; p = 0.029). Postoperative temporary liver failure was influenced by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OR: 3.4; p = 0.010), vascular clamping (OR: 1.5; p = 0.015), and requirement of blood transfusion (OR: 2.1; p = 0.016). After minor resections, only a decreased postoperative serum cholinesterase B level was an independent predictor for complications (OR: 2.2; p = 0.001), as well as for hemorrhage (OR: 1.6; p = 0.023). Postoperative mortality was not predicted by any of the factors that were analyzed.
Interpretation/conclusion: Factors for complications differ depending on the extent of colorectal liver metastasis resection. Only knowledge and particular consideration of these factors may provide for an optimal postoperative outcome for the individual patient.