Can hepatic failure after surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients be prevented?

To study the causes of postoperative hepatic failure in cirrhotic patients undergoing resection for hepatocellular carcinoma, we evaluated data on 126 cirrhotic patients surgically treated from 1977 to 1987. The records of 102 patients with a good postoperative course (survival group) and 24 patients who developed hepatic failure and died (hepatic failure group) were reviewed. No difference in preoperative liver function was apparent between the 2 groups. Histologically, moderate to severe inflammatory activity in the liver was present in 20 (83%) of 24 patients in the hepatic failure group. Major hepatic resections (lobectomy and extended lobectomy) were more frequent in the hepatic failure group. Mean perioperative blood loss was 1,945 g and 4,322 g in the survival and hepatic failure groups, respectively, with a significant difference (p less than 0.01). Major postoperative complications occurred in 22 (22%) of 102 patients in the survival group and major complications followed by hepatic failure occurred in 21 (88%) of 24 patients in the hepatic failure group, with a significant difference (p less than 0.001). In light of these data, we propose that: (a) histological examination should be done before the resection, (b) perioperative blood loss should be less than 2,000 g, and (c) intensive care is needed postoperatively to prevent complications which might lead to hepatic failure.