INFLUENCE OF VIRAL-HEPATITIS STATUS ON OPERATIVE MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

The influence of associated viral hepatitis status on 119 patients wit h primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing hepatic resection was investigated. Operative morbidity and mortality were examined in t hree patient groups: 31 patients (group B) positive for hepatitis B su rface antigen (HBsAg), 14 (group Be) positive for both HBsAg and hepat itis B e antigen, and 74 (group C) positive for hepatitis C virus anti body (HCVAb). Preoperative liver function in groups Be and C was simil ar and more impaired than that of patients in group B; combined active hepatitis was seen most frequently in group C (68 per cent). The tumo ur size in group B was significantly greater than that in groups Be an d C. Postoperative complications occurred more frequently in group C ( 39 per cent) and early postoperative deaths, other than those from can cer, were seen in nine patients positive for HCVAb, of whom three deve loped postoperative liver failure. Patients with HCC and hepatitis B w ithout seroconversion as well as hepatitis C frequently have active he patitis, which may impair liver function and play an important role in operative morbidity and mortality.