Author information
1Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China.
2Ultrasound Department, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China.
3Department of General Surgery Education, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China.
4Hepatobiliary Surgery Department, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, PR China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS:
Official guidelines do not recommend hepatic resection (HR) for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal hypertension (PHT). This study aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of HR for patients with HCC and PHT.
METHODS:
Mortality and survival after HR were analyzed retrospectively in a consecutive sample of 1738 HCC patients with PHT (n = 386) or without it (n = 1352). To assess the robustness of findings, we repeated the analysis using propensity score-matched analysis. We also comprehensively searched the PubMed database for studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of HR for patients with HCC and PHT.
RESULTS:
The 90-day mortality rate was 6.7% among those with PHT and 2.1% among those without it (P<.001). Patients without PHT had a survival benefit over those with PHT at 1, 3, and 5 years (96% vs 90%, 75% vs 67%, 54% vs 45%, respectively; P = .001). In contrast, PHT was not associated with worse short- or long-term survival when only propensity score-matched pairs of patients and those with early-stage HCC or those who underwent minor hepatectomy were included in the analysis (all P>.05). Moreover, the recurrence rates were similar between the two groups. Consistent with our findings, all 9 studies identified in our literature search reported HR to be safe and effective for patients with HCC and PHT.
CONCLUSIONS:
HR is safe and effective in HCC patients with PHT and preserved liver function. This is especially true for patients who have early-stage HCC or who undergo minor hepatectomy.