MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY AFTER HEPATIC RESECTION OF METASTASES FROM COLORECTAL-CANCER

A review was carried out of morbidity and mortality after hepatic rese ction for metastatic colorectal cancer in 208 consecutive patients who underwent this procedure between 1980 and 1992. Overall postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were 35 and 2.4 per cent respectively. The major morbidity rate was 18 per cent, the main complications being intra-abdominal sepsis, biliary fistula and haemorrhage. Of the diffe rent factors examined, morbidity was significantly related to the exte nt of liver resection (53 versus 21 per cent after major and minor res ections respectively), amount of blood transfused (18 versus 52 per ce nt for no transfusion and more than 300 ml transfused respectively) an d the date of the operation (53 versus 24 per cent before and after 19 86 respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that only the extent of hepatic resection and the period at which surgery was performed retai ned their statistical significance. These data support the opinion tha t surgical treatment of hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer is a n effective procedure with acceptable mortality and morbidity rates. A n extensive experience of hepatic surgery is, however, necessary to op timize results.