Efficacy of salvage liver transplantation for patients with hepatoceliular carcinoma after liver resection

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and indications of salvage liver transplantation for patients with recurrent hepatecellular carcinoma(HCC)after liver resection.MethodsThe clinical data of 35 HCC patients who received salvage liver transplantation after liver resection at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yatsen University from October 2003 to March 2006 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were divided into the salvage liver transplantation(SLT)group(n = 19)and extended SLT group(n = 16).Perioperative condition,postoperative complications and prognosis of the 2 groups were compared.The survival rate was analyzed and compared by the Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test,respectively.Results The anhepatic phase,ischaemic time,operation time,intraoperative blood loss,packed red blood cell transfusion,fresh frozen plasms transfusion,mobidity and retransplantation rate were(32 ± 9)minutes,(8.0 ± 2.1)hours,(7.6 ± 1.5)hours,2300 ml,8 U,23 U,6/19 and 2/19 in the SLT group,and(34 ± 7)minutes,(7.4 ± 2.3)hours,(7.4 ± 2.0)hours,2750 ml,12 U,20 U,4/16,1/16 in the extended SLT group,respectively,with no significant difference between the 2 groups(t=0.726,-0.804,-0.366,Z=-0.348,-0.549,-0.149,x2 =0.184,0.203,P＞0.05).The perioperative mortality,tumor recurrence rate were 0 and 2/19 in the SLT group,and 4/16 and 9/16 in the extended SLT group,with significant differences between the 2 groups(x2 = 5.363,8.426,P ＜ 0.05).The 1-,3-,5-year cumulative survival rates were 100%,84% and 84% in the SLT group,and 75%,33% and 33% in the extended SLT group.The 1-,3-,5-year tumor-free survival rates were 100%,89% and 89% in the SLT group,and 48%,29% and 19% in the extended SLT group.There were significant differences in the cumulative and tumor-free survival rates between the2 groups(x2 =11.58,19.31,P＜0.05).Conclusions The efficacy of SLT is satisfactory in the treatment of recurrent HCC.The optimal indication for SLT is Milan criteria. Key words: Liver neoplasms; Liver transplantation,salvage; Hepatectomy