Indications for surgery in the treatment of hepatic hemangioma

Abstract

Background/aims: Hepatic hemangiomas are controversial tumors, especially as far as treatment is concerned. This paper analyses a series of 26 cavernous hemangiomas of the liver diagnosed between 1982 and 1993.

Materials and methods: A descriptive study is made of cases, their treatment and subsequent follow-up averaging 5 years.

Results: A preoperative diagnosis was made in 18 patients. Fifteen of the 26 patients underwent operation, and no deaths occurred. One patient with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome (3.8%) had complications due to rupture of the hemangioma. Postoperative complications were limited to two abscesses (13%). There were no recurrences in the follow-up (average 4.4 years). Three of the 15 surgery patients revealed residual hemangiomas. There were no complications in the 11 non-surgery patients (five of which had giant hemangiomas) during a follow-up averaging 5.9 years. One patient initially without pain and with a hemangioma of 7.4 cm became symptomatic, and the hemangioma grew to 9.6 cm; another patient with pain became asymptomatic, with no change in hemangioma size.

Conclusion: Most hemangiomas can be managed conservatively. Indication for surgery should be assessed in units with experience in liver surgery, where low morbidity and mortality rates can justify the intervention.