BACKGROUND: Liver resection is still a complicated operation with a high risk of postoperative morbidity. This study was undertaken to analyze the risk factors for postoperative complications after liver resection.
METHODS: From 2001 to 2004, a total of 146 patients underwent liver resection for malignant or benign lesions. Postoperative complications after the resection were classified as surgical and medical, their incidences were analyzed retrospectively. The risk factors for both surgical and medical complications were analyzed. To increase the safety of liver resection, surgical techniques were modified after April 2003, including control of inflow or outflow and intra-operative test with methylene blue.
RESULTS: Before April 2003, a series of 58 patients received liver resection. Modified surgical techniques were used in liver resections for 88 patients after April 2003. A total of 36 patients (24.7%) had postoperative complications. Surgical and medical complications occurred in 24 and 13 patients respectively (One patient had both surgical and medical complications). Perioperative blood transfusion was related to a higher risk of surgical complications (P<0.05). Patients with diabetes mellitus were associated with a higher risk of medical complications (P<0.05). Surgical complications and postoperative hospitalization were decreased after the use of modified surgical techniques (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION: Postoperative surgical complications can be decreased by modified surgical techniques, and careful selection of patients for liver resection may help to decrease postoperative medical complications also.