Perioperative safety and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients with impaired liver function

Background: The benefits of liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (H CC) patients with concomitant impaired liver function were often considered questionable because of poor postoperative prognosis. This study will clar ify whether an acceptable operative risk exists and whether limited resecti on will compromise the outcomes of these patients. Study Design: Between July 1991 and December 1996, a total of 168 patients with HCC who underwent hepatectomies were enrolled and divided into normal (group A) and impaired (group B) liver function groups according to the val ue of indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes. Clinical features, su rgical related features, pathologic features, and disease-free and overall survivals were compared between the groups. Results: Operative morbidity and mortality in group A were 27.3% and 1.6%, and in group B were 40.0% and 2.5%, respectively (p = 0.129 and 0.506). Dis ease-free survival and overall survival at 5 years in group A were 43.2% an d 59.6%, respectively, and in group B they were 30.6% and 56.8%, respective ly (p = 0.607 and 0.378). Conclusions: Limited liver resection is safe and provides favorable prognos is in HCC patients with concomitant impaired liver function. (J Am Cell Sur g 2000;190:574-579. (C) 2000 by the American College of Surgeons).