Resection of benign liver tumours: an analysis of 62 consecutive cases treated in an academic referral centre

Abstract

Background: This study assessed the safety and outcome after resection of benign liver tumours (BLT) at a major referral centre. Methods: All patients with symptomatic BLTs who underwent resection were identified from a prospective database of 474 liver resections. Operative management, morbidity and mortality using the Accordion classification were analyzed. Results: 62 patients (56 women, 6 men, median age 45 years, range 17-82) underwent resection of symptomatic haemangiomas n=23 (37.1%), FNH n=19 (30.6%), biliary cystadenoma n=16 (25.8%) and hepatic adenomas n=4 (6.5%). A major resection was required in 25 patients (4 segments n=14, 3 segments n=11). 37 patients had 2 or fewer segments resected. Median operating time was 169 min (range 80-410). Median blood loss was 300ml (range 50-4500ml). An intra-operative blood transfusion was required in 6 patients. Median length of post-operative hospital stay was 7 days (range 4-32). Complications occurred in 11 patients. Accordion grades were 1 n=3, 2 n=4, 4 n=3, 6 n=1. 4 patients required re-operation (bleeding n=2, bile leak n=1, small bowel obstruction n=1). An elderly patient died following a postoperative cerebrovascular accident. Conclusion: Our data suggest that resections for BLTs can be performed safely with minimal blood loss and transfusion requirements. Despite the low postoperative mortality rate, the risk of postoperative complications emphasizes the need for careful selection of patients for resection.