Post-hepatectomy haemorrhage: a single-centre experience

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore the incidence and causes of intra-abdominal haemorrhage after hepatectomy, indications for re-exploration, and factors affecting occurrence.MethodsClinical data for 77 patients (0.2% of 32 856 hepatectomy patients) submitted to re-exploration for haemorrhage following hepatectomy for primary liver cancer (PLC) from 2001 to 2010 were retrospectively reviewed and analysed for postoperative complications, potential site and cause of bleeding.ResultsThe median interval between hepatectomy and re-exploration was 23 h in the 77 patients (range: 1 h to 11 days). Re-exploration occurred within 24 h after hepatectomy in 64 patients (83.1%), and within 8 h in 37 patients (48.1%). The most common anatomic site of intra-abdominal haemorrhage was the cut surface of the liver (n = 51, 66.2%), followed by the perihepatic ligaments (n = 19, 24.7%), the splenic fossa (n = 7, 9.1%), the diaphragm (n = 6, 7.8%), the retroperitonium (n = 6, 7.8%), the right adrenal gland (n = 3, 3.9%), and the gallbladder bed (n = 2, 2.6%). The most common form of bleeding was oozing. Early haemorrhage (at ≤ 24 h) was most likely to occur in the form of venous bleeding or oozing from the cut surface of the liver. Rates of 5-year overall and disease-free survival in the 77 patients were 22.1% and 3.9%, respectively.ConclusionsRe-exploration for haemorrhage following hepatectomy for PLC is a rare event. Haemorrhage occurs predominantly at the cut parenchymal surface. Early return to the operating room is vital and perioperative survival is common in this high-risk group.