Risk factors for complications associated with canine hepatic mass resection: A study of 96 cases

Ryusei Konno; Yasuyuki Kaneko; Tatsuyuki Osuga; Shidow Torisu; Shushi Yamamoto; Ryota Okadera; Kiyokazu Naganobu

doi:10.1111/vsu.70020

Risk factors for complications associated with canine hepatic mass resection: A study of 96 cases

Vet Surg. 2025 Sep 18. doi: 10.1111/vsu.70020. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Ryusei Konno¹, Yasuyuki Kaneko¹, Tatsuyuki Osuga², Shidow Torisu³, Shushi Yamamoto³, Ryota Okadera¹, Kiyokazu Naganobu¹

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Agriculture, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.
² Faculty of Agriculture, Veterinary Internal Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan.
³ Laboratory of Companion Animal Surgery, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Japan.

PMID: 40965229
DOI: 10.1111/vsu.70020

Abstract

Objective: To identify pre- and intraoperative risk factors for complications occurring within 2 weeks following hepatic mass resection in dogs.

Study design: Retrospective case series.

Animals: A total of 96 client-owned dogs that underwent hepatic mass resection.

Methods: The evaluated preoperative variables were the signalment, clinical signs, presence of underlying diseases, blood test results (e.g., hematocrit), and computed tomography (CT) findings (mass location, maximum diameter, mass volume, and distance between the mass and the caudal vena cava [CVC]). The evaluated intraoperative variables were the surgical time, procedure details (e.g., surgical techniques), presence of intraoperative hypotension and hypoxemia, and blood transfusion. Comparisons were made between dogs with severe postoperative complications (including mortality) and those with mild or moderate complications. Univariable logistic regression was performed, and significant variables were used to construct multivariable models by combining them.

Results: Severe postoperative complications were observed in 17 dogs (17.7%), including six deaths (6.3%). Multivariable logistic regression analyses identified the presence of underlying diseases (OR: 2.703; p = .007), corrected distance from the mass to the CVC (OR: 0.666 per 0.1 cm/kg increase; p = .017), and intraoperative hypotension (OR: 3.589; p = .019) as risk factors for severe postoperative complications.

Conclusion: Among preoperative variables, both the presence of underlying diseases and the corrected distance from the mass to the CVC were associated with severe postoperative complications.

Clinical significance: Preoperative CT evaluation of the distance between the hepatic mass and the CVC, along with screening for underlying diseases, may contribute to improve the prediction of surgical risk.