EXPERIENCES IN SURGICAL-MANAGEMENT OF CAVERNOUS HEMANGIOMA OF THE LIVER

Background/Aims: Observation is usually recommended for managing patie nts with cavernous hemangioma of the liver. To assess the indications for surgical management, we make a retrospective analysis. Patients an d Methods: There were 14 patients with cavernous hemangioma of the Liv er who were surgically treated in National Taiwan University Hospital from 1984 to 1993. Results: The surgical indications included uncertai n diagnosis in 10 patients, progressive tumor enlargement in, two, sym ptomatic tumor in one and subcapsular bleeding in one. The tumors were 2-15 cm in diameter and the median was 6 cm. The operation. procedure s included atypical hepatectomy in 6 patients, lateral segmentectomy i n 4, right lobectomy in one, extended right lobectomy in one and open. biopsy in two. There was no mortality. Wound infection occurred in. o ne patient. The average blood transfusion was 0.79 unit (range: 0-3 un its) (1 unit=500 ml) The postoperative hospital stay was 13.2 days (ra nge: 10-18 days). Conclusion: Surgical management of cavernous hemangi oma of the Liver is safe.