Background: Liver resection is an established treatment for malignancies like colorectal metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma.
Material and methods: Indications and outcomes of liver resection at the National Hospital, Oslo, Norway was studied retrospectively in 226 patients operated between 1977 and 1999.
Results: The main indication for surgery was colorectal metastases (n = 137). The frequency of liver resection for colorectal malignancies was < 1 per 100,000 patients per year in the hospital's catchment area. Other indications included hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 30), benign tumours like hemangioma (n = 14), and various primary and secondary malignant tumours. Reoperation due to postoperative complications was performed in 13 patients (6%). Total perioperative mortality defined as death before hospital discharge or within 30 days after discharge, was 3% (7/226). No perioperative deaths occurred among the 159 patients operated after 1987. Five year survival for patients operated for colorectal metastases and hepatocellular carcinoma were 29% and 24%, respectively.
Interpretation: The main indication for liver resection is colorectal metastases. Liver resection is a safe operation with potential curation for selected patients.