SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF GIANT HEMANGIOMA OF THE LIVER

Background The treatment of giant symptomatic haemangioma of the liver is still controversial. This retrospective study reviewed the results of surgical treatment. Methods Twenty-eight patients with symptomatic giant haemangioma of the liver were treated by liver resection (n = 2 4) or liver transplantation (n = 4). The median diameter of the haeman giomas was 11 (range 5-20) cm. Results Complications occurred in five of the 24 patients treated by partial liver resection, although all su rvived and remain alive and well more than 2 years after surgery. In s ix patients there was residual haemangioma in the liver remnant which did not enlarge during the 2-year follow-up. In four patients the haem angioma was considered irresectable and liver transplantation was perf ormed. One died after a 'two-stage' liver transplantation; the remaini ng three patients are alive and well, 1, 4 and 9 years after transplan tation. Conclusion Liver resection is the treatment of choice for gian t haemangioma of the liver where possible. In selected cases liver tra nsplantation is indicated.