Preoperative Chemotherapy Plus Bevacizumab and Morbidity after Resection of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases

Abstract

Aims and background: The addition of bevacizumab to preoperative chemotherapy is a common therapeutic practice in patients with colorectal liver metastases. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of bevacizumab on postoperative complications after liver resection. Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed including patients who underwent liver resection for colorectal liver metastases after receiving chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab in two hospitals. Univariate logistic regression models were used to identify predictors of postoperative morbidity in both groups of patients. Results: A total of 76 patients were analyzed: 22 patients did not receive preoperative chemotherapy (control group), 21 patients received preoperative chemotherapy alone and 33 patients received preoperative chemotherapy in combination with bevacizumab. The median number of chemotherapy cycles received was 4 (range, 1-23) for the chemotherapy group and 7 (range, 2-36) for the chemotherapy plus bevacizumab group Morbidity rate was similar in the three groups of patients considered: 54.5 %, 47.6% and 39.4, respectively. The most common complications were infections and wound complications. The number of preoperative chemotherapy cycles received was the only clinical variable that was significantly correlated with postoperative comorbidity. Conclusions: Our results support the evidence that the addition of bevacizumab to preoperative chemotherapy does not increase the risk of complications following surgery of colorectal liver metastases.