Liver resection for benign hepatic lesion: mortality, morbidity and risk factors for postoperative complications

The aim of this study was to evaluate the result of liver resection for benign hepatic lesion and to determine the risk factors for postoperative complication. Between January 2001 and December 2006 ( 6 years), a total of 50 pacients with benign hepatic lesion underwent hepatic resection and were retrospectively reviewed. The sex ratio was M/F= 31/19 with a mean age of 44 years ( range 2 - 74). The diagnosis was: hydatid cyst in 24 patients ( 48%); hemangioma in 14 patients ( 28%), focal nodular hiperplasia ( FNH) in 6 ( 12%), hepatic adenoma in 3 cases ( 6%), and hepatoblastoma in 3 patients ( 6%). Fourty patients ( 80%) had symptoms prior to surgery ( mainly abdominal pain). The abnormalities were located in 34 cases on the left liver ( II-IV Couinaud segments) and in 16 cases on the right liver ( V-VIII Couinaud segments). Twenty-nine patients ( 58%) underwent atipical resections, 4 undewent left hemihepatectomy ( 8%), 16 underwent left lobectomy ( 32%) and 1 patient was treated by segmentectomy ( 2%). Median operating time was 108 minutes ( range 60-220) and the median blood lost was 310 ml range ( 30-1500). The morbidity rate was 18% ( 9 patients). Independent risk factors associated with the development of postoperative complication were intraoperative blood lost more than 1200 ml ( p=0,015; OR=1,7) and the operating time more than 150 minutes ( p=0,048; OR=1,09). There was no mortality. The mean postoperative hospitalization was 7,86 days with the range 3-23 days. Conclusion: 1. Liver resections for benign hepatic lesion performed in specialized centers are safe and efficient, with low morbidity and mortality. 2. Postoperative morbidity was related to the intraoperative blood lost more than 1200 ml and to the operating time more than 150 minutes.