INFLUENCE OF BLOOD-TRANSFUSION ON POSTOPERATIVE LONG-TERM LIVER-FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

Background/Aims: To research for possible adverse effects of blood tra nsfusion on Liver function at a relatively long term after hepatic res ection, Liver function tests at one and two years after the surgery we re studied in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Materials and Me thods: Seventy-one patients with no evidence of cancer recurrence duri ng two years after the surgery were selected for this retrospective an alysis. Patients were divided into two groups depending on perioperati ve blood transfusion: those who received blood transfusion (BT(+), n=3 8), and those without blood transfusion (BT(-), n=33). Results: There were no statistical differences in the preoperative clinical features including fiver function tests except decreased prothrombin time index (P<0.01) and larger amount of intraoperative blood loss (P<0.01) in B T(+) group. Platelet counts at 2 years after the surgery were signific antly higher in the BT(-) group (P<0.05). Two-way ANOVA showed no sign ificant difference in liver function tests between the two groups. In multiple regression analysis, blood transfusion significantly correlat ed with serum total bilirubin at 2 year, but did not at 2 years after the surgery. Conclusions: The influence of blood transfusion in, the p atients with hepatocellular carcinoma was considered to be minimum wit hin 2 years after hepatectomy.