Complications after surgical resection of liver parenchyma

Abstract The number of liver resection in Poland has recently increased. Most frequent indications are benign tumors of the liver, metastatic changes and primary hepatic carcinoma. The aim of work is to discuss incidence of complications which appeared after liver resections at our Department. Among 56 patients aged 19-76, 32 anatomical and 24 nonanatomical resections of hepatic tissue were performed. In the early postoperation period, 8 patients had peritoneal fluid collections and 3 laparotomies with drainage were necessary, while in 5 cases fluid was aspirated under usg guidance. The outflow of bile and blood contents from subhepatic space was prolonged to 9 days in 3 patients, gastric or duodenal 3 stress ulcerations complicated with bleeding were observed as well as transitory hemobilia in 3 and jaundice in 6 cases. Early hemorrhage from excision line of hepatic tissue was observed in 2 patients which needed additional surgical intervention. Atelectasis and inflammatory changes of the right lung appeared in majority of patients operated on. The postoperative mortality of 16% (9 patients of total 56) was mainly dependent on hepatorenal or cardiorespiratory failure, however myocardial infarction and DIC syndrome were also noticed. In spite of progress of surgical technique and intensive perioperative care, resection procedures of the liver are still accompanied with large percentage of serious complications.