Clinical experience of hepatic hemangioma undergoing hepatic resection

The indications for surgery on cavernous hemangiomas, the most common benign tumors of the liver, remain unclear. This study reviewed 43 patients with cavernous hemangioma of the liver who underwent hepatic resection from 1984 to 2000. Patients were divided into three groups based on the reasons for surgery. Group I comprised 13 patients whose lesions presented symptoms and dimensions that were the main indications for operation. Group II consisted of 28 patients diagnosed with malignant tumors or who displayed malignant growth that could not be ruled out preoperatively. Group III comprised 2 patients with tumors found incidentally at laparotomy for other malignancies. No surgical mortality related to hepatectomy was noted. Postoperative bile leak was found in 2 (morbidity rate: 4.7%). Patients were followed up from 6 months to 12 years. Thirteen residual tumors progressed in size. The clinical status or symptoms changed only slightly in 10 patients with recurrence. The results suggest that resection therapy is an effective indicator for patients with symptoms and a questionable diagnosis. Hepatic resection may and should be carried out with no mortality and minimal morbidity risks since the lesion is benign.