Methods and related drawbacks in the estimation of surgical risks in cirrhotic patients undergoing hepatectomy

There has been a dramatic improvement in recent results of hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients. Hospital mortality rates of less than 5% are frequently reported. The improvement is largely a result of better techniques and performance of surgeons in hepatectomy, and reduction in blood loss and transfusion requirement. Better selection of patients is perhaps a more significant contributory factor. Careful identification of risk factors related to the medical condition of the patient, functional reserve of the liver and volume of the remnant liver is essential for the prevention of postoperative liver failure. Indocyanine green clearance test is the most accurate test for assessment of liver function reserve. An indocyanine green retention rate of 14% at 15 minutes is the safety limit for major hepatectomy for cirrhotic patients. A maximum of 60% of the nontumorous liver can be resected safely. Computed tomography is therefore an important assessment parameter. The liver function reserve also reveals the suitability for hepatectomy. Liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase or aspartate aminotransferase can reflect the hepatic activity, which could be responsible for the impaired liver function. Steatosis is another factor that influences hepatic function reserve. Age is also an important risk factor in hepatectomy because elderly patients may harbor occult heart disease, reduced respiratory and liver function reserves. After recognizing the risk factors, surgeons should eliminate operative morbidity and mortality by making appropriate decisions based on the assessments. In conclusion, preoperative risk assessment involves evaluation of hepatic function reserve, remnant liver volume, liver status, age and the medical condition of the patient. A 0% hospital mortality rate is considered the objective.