Background/aims: Hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma remains associated with significant morbidity and mortality, despite improved surgical techniques and perioperative management. The relationship between the extent of liver fibrosis and postoperative complications is controversial.
Methodology: We studied 50 patients in whom hepatectomy for Child-Pugh grade A or B had been indicated. Surgical procedures were determined by the indocyanine green retention rate after 15 minutes (ICGR15). The extent of liver fibrosis was graded according to the Desmet classification. The frequency and grade of severity of postoperative complications were evaluated.
Results: Postoperative complications occurred in 24 patients (48%), the frequency being significantly higher among those with liver cirrhosis. However, no significant difference in the incidence of major complications was observed between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients (p=0.311). There was no association between grade of severity of postoperative complications and extent of fibrosis.
Conclusions: When the surgical indication and procedure were selected based on the Child-Pugh classification and ICGR15 value, respectively, the extent of liver fibrosis did not influence the incidence of major postoperative complications. In particular, there was no significant difference in the incidence of life-threatening postoperative complications between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients.