Original CommunicationEvaluation of the safety and efficacy of simultaneous resection of primary colorectal cancer and synchronous colorectal liver metastases

BackgroundIt remains unclear whether primary colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases (SLMs) should be resected simultaneously or with a staged procedure.MethodsWe reviewed the short-term outcomes of 127 patients who underwent simultaneous resection of primary colorectal cancer and SLM at our institution from January 1993 to December 2011.ResultsThe proportion of simultaneous resections was 84.7% (127 of 150 patients). There was no postoperative mortality, and the postoperative complication rate was 61.4%. Major complications occurred in 23 (18.2%) patients, and anastomotic failure occurred in 2 (1.6%). The 3-, 5-, and 10-year overall survival rates were 74%, 64%, and 52%, respectively. The median recurrence-free survival period was 7.0 months (95% confidence interval, 4.5-9.5 months) and the 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was 17%.ConclusionSimultaneous resection can be performed safely in patients with colorectal cancer and SLM.