Liver operations in Sweden in 1987-99

Abstract

Background and aims: Liver surgery is developing with new techniques and treatment modalities. The aim of this study is to describe liver surgery over a long period of time in a country with a public health care system.

Patients and method: A register study including adult patients admitted for liver resection in Sweden (population 8.8 million) selected from the Inpatient Register 1987-99. Additional data were collected from the Swedish Cancer Register and the Cause of Death Register. Analyses of the patients, indications, mortality and causes of death are presented.

Results: 2,405 operations were performed (21 per million per year). The most frequent indication was colorectal metastases (27%). The 5-year survival after an operation for primary liver cancer and colorectal liver metastases was 27% and 26%, respectively.

Conclusions: Few patients were admitted for liver operations compared to expected figures. The survival rates are in conformity with those previously published. With an increasing awareness of the relatively favourable prognosis and the introduction of new methods, the volume of liver operations will probably increase in Sweden.