Risk factors for adverse surgical outcomes after liver resection for hepatoblastoma – A review of 30 years of experience

Abstract

<p>Purpose: We reported the surgical outcomes in hepatoblastoma treated over 30 years and analyzed risk factors leading to early post-operative complications and tumor recurrence. Methods: This was a retrospective study and children (age <12 years) receiving liver resection for hepatoblastoma (excluding liver transplant) in two studied centres from 1995 to 2024 were reviewed. Demographic data, surgical complications and 5-year disease-free survival rate were reported. Risk factors for 30-day post-operative complications and 5-year tumor recurrence were evaluated by regression analysis. Results: This study included 68 patients with 50 (73.5 %) of whom had PRETEXT III disease. Nine patients (13.2 %) had metastases and 7 (10.3 %) experienced tumor rupture prior to surgery. The median age at surgery was 18.0 months (8–72 months). Most hepatectomy involved the right lobe (n = 40, 58.8 %). Upfront resection was performed in 8 patients (11.8 %). The 30-day post-operative complication rate was 17.6 % (n = 12) and 6 patients required second operation. The median follow-up was 12.4 years (range: 1–23.5 years). Sixty patients were managed before 2020 and the 5-year disease-free survival rate of them was 80.0 % (n = 48). Dividing the cohort into two study periods (1995–2009 vs 2010 to 2024), the complication rate and 5-year disease survival rate were 26.9 % and 11.9 % in the first period; 76.9 % and 82.3 % in the second period respectively. Pre-operative tumor rupture [OR: 1.97 (1.11–2.32), p = 0.048] and operation over 6 h were risk factors for 30-day post-operative complications [OR: 2.48 (1.91–3.12), p = 0.036]. Presence of distant metastasis was a risk factor for 5-year tumor recurrence [OR: 1.63 (1.05–1.92), p = 0.042]. Conclusion: An improvement trend in the surgical outcomes of hepatoblastoma treated in the recent decade was observed. Pre-operative tumor rupture and distant metastasis required special attention as they were risk factors for adverse outcomes. Prolonged operation should also be avoided to minimize surgical complications.<br></p>