Risk of complications following liver resection for colorectal metastases

From 1990 to 1997, among 300 patients who underwent liver resection, in more than a half (155 patients) metastatic liver tumors were an indication for surgery. In a great majority of patients (140) the primary tumor was localised in the colon or rectum. A retrospective analysis of serious postoperative complications was performed in order to identify the potential risk factors of their occurrence. These were the need for massive blood transfusion in the perioperative period (as a consequence of bleeding), clotting disorders, major hepatic resection (4 segments or more), preoperative hypoalbuminaemia, jaundice and severe diabetes. Serious complications were observed in 15 patients (9.9% of liver resections), the overall mortality rate was of 3.6%. All deaths occured in patients with 4 or more identified risk factors.