Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2025 Jan 20:37:e1856.
doi: 10.1590/0102-6720202400062e1856. eCollection 2025.

COMPLICATIONS AFTER HEPATECTOMY

Affiliations
Review

COMPLICATIONS AFTER HEPATECTOMY

Claudemiro Quireze Junior et al. Arq Bras Cir Dig. .

Abstract

Complete removal of metastatic disease and maintenance of an adequate liver remnant remains the only treatment option with curative intent concerning colorectal liver metastases. Surgery impacts on the long-term prognosis and complications adversely affect oncological results. The actual morbidity involving this scenario is debatable and estimated to be ranging from 15% to 50%. Postoperative complications eventually lead to an increase in both mortality rates and tumor recurrence. Biliary fistula and liver failure are the leading complications following liver resection to metastatic colorectal cancer. Prophylactic drainage does not prevent fistulas or hemorrhage. Drainage along with endoscopic intervention and/or surgery may be necessary for grade B and C fistulas. Liver failure is a potentially lethal complication with few therapeutic options. Patient selection and preoperative care are crucial for its prevention.

A remoção completa da doença metastática e a manutenção de um remanescente hepático adequado continuam sendo o único tratamento com intenção curativa em relação às metástases hepáticas colorretais. A cirurgia impacta no prognóstico de longo prazo e as complicações afetam adversamente os resultados oncológicos. A morbidade real envolvendo esse cenário é discutível e estimada variando de 15 a 50%. Complicações pós-operatórias eventualmente levam a um aumento nas taxas de mortalidade e recorrência do tumor. Fístula biliar e insuficiência hepática são as principais complicações após a ressecção hepática para câncer colorretal metastático. A drenagem profilática não previne fístulas ou hemorragia. A drenagem junto com intervenção endoscópica e/ou cirurgia pode ser necessária para fístulas de graus B e C. A insuficiência hepática é uma complicação potencialmente letal com poucas opções terapêuticas. A seleção do paciente e os cuidados pré-operatórios são cruciais para sua prevenção.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interests: None

References

    1. Azoulay D, Desterke C, Bhangui P, Salloum C, Conticchio M, Vibert E, et al. Tumors located in the central column of the liver are associated with increased surgical difficulty and postoperative complications following open liver resection for colorectal metastases. HPB (Oxford) 2022;24(8):1376–1386. doi: 10.1016/j.hpb.2022.03.006. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bagante F, Ruzzenente A, Beal EW, Campagnaro T, Merath K, Conci S, et al. Complications after liver surgery: a benchmark analysis. HPB (Oxford) 2019;21(9):1139–1149. doi: 10.1016/j.hpb.2018.12.013. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Balzan S, Belghiti J, Farges O, Ogata S, Sauvanet A, Delefosse D, et al. The "50-50 criteria" on postoperative day 5: an accurate predictor of liver failure and death after hepatectomy. Ann Surg. 2005;242(6):824–828. doi: 10.1097/01.sla.0000189131.90876.9e. discussion 828-9. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Bekki Y, Yamashita Y, Itoh S, Harimoto N, Shirabe K, Maehara Y. Predictors of the effectiveness of prophylactic drains after hepatic resection. World J Surg. 2015;39(10):2543–2549. doi: 10.1007/s00268-015-3116-3. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Brooke-Smith M, Figueras J, Ullah S, Rees M, Vauthey JN, Hugh TJ, et al. Prospective evaluation of the International Study Group for Liver Surgery definition of bile leak after a liver resection and the role of routine operative drainage: an international multicentre study. HPB (Oxford) 2015;17(1):46–51. doi: 10.1111/hpb.12322. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

MeSH terms