The result of liver resection for colorectal metastases in a small volume hospital in western Norway

AimOur aim was to compare liver resection for colorectal metastases in a non-referral, small volume unit with a dedicated staff, with results from larger units.MethodsThirty patients (15 men and 15 women) with a median age of 64 years (range 29–78) underwent hepatic resection during a 5-year period from 1997 to 2003 in a teaching hospital in western Norway.ResultsSixty-three percent (19/30) of the colorectal tumours were Dukes stage C (n = 19) and CEA was increased in seven patients (23%), of which four (13%) had values above 50 μg/l. The metastases were synchronous with the colorectal tumours in 11 patients (37%). Non-anatomical (wedge) resections were the dominant type of surgeries and the resection margins were clear in all patients. A 77-year-old man (3%) died of MOF after right hemihepatectomy. Morbidity was encountered in eight other patients (28%). In 22 patients (76%) with recurrent disease, metastases first appeared in the liver in 18 (82%) of these patients. Seven patients (23%) have had resections for recurrences. Mean time to recurrence was 20 months (range 3–87). The actuarial 5-year survival rate was 42%. Six patients (20%) are currently disease free.ConclusionAlthough our unit has treated a small number of patients compared with specialized units elsewhere, the survival rate, as well as morbidity and mortality, were comparable. However, 62% have had recurrent liver disease and this may suggest a role for neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy in selected cases.