Simultaneous colorectal and liver resection – A danish two-centre experience

Abstract

Aims: The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of simultaneous colorectal and liver resection (SCLR) in patients with colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases. The primary endpoints evaluated were: complication rate, length of stay (LOS), 90 days perioperative mortality. Secondary endpoints was 3-yars overall survival and 3-years disease free survival. Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing SCLR in the period 2011–2013, coming from two HPB centres in Denmark, were included in this retrospective study. Results: Twenty-nine patients were included in the study. Twenty-sex patients had colon cancer and three patients had rectal cancer. All patients underwent open surgery. Large liver resections (>3 lesions) were performed in ten patients and colorectal resections with primary anastomosis were performed in all patients. The overall complication rate was 12/29 with a Clavien Dindo complications score with 4/29 type I, 3/29 type II, 4/29 type IIIa and 1/29 type IIIb. No anastomotic leakages were detected. The median LOS was 7 (4–28) days. Four patients needed readmission in additional median 15.5 (14–21) days. The 90-day mortality was 0/29 (0%). Twelve patients had local recurrence in the liver after median 13 months. No local recurrence was seen on colon and rectum. The 3-year overall survival rate and disease free survival rate was 48.5% (CI:38.0–53.4%) and 40.8% (CI:16.7–64.9%), respectively. Conclusions: Simultaneous colorectal and liver resection for synchronous colorectal cancer and liver metastases in selected cases is feasible and safe in a Danish two-centre setting.