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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
The Influence of Liver Resection on Intrahepatic Tumor Growth
Published on: April 9, 2016
Outcome and complications after resection of hepatoblastoma
Insights
This study reviews hepatoblastoma resection outcomes in 56 children over 20 years. Surgical complications occurred in 9% intraoperatively and 22% postoperatively, with a 27% mortality rate primarily due to tumor recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Surgical Oncology
- Hepatobiliary Surgery
Background:
- Hepatoblastoma is the most common primary liver tumor in children.
- Surgical resection is the cornerstone of hepatoblastoma treatment.
- Understanding outcomes and complications is crucial for optimizing patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the outcomes and complications associated with hepatoblastoma resection.
- To analyze surgical procedures and their associated morbidity and mortality.
- To identify factors influencing treatment success in hepatoblastoma.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of clinical, radiologic, and pathologic data.
- Analysis of 56 children treated for hepatoblastoma between 1978 and 2002.
- Focus on surgical procedures, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and survival rates.
Main Results:
- Hepatoblastoma commonly involved the right lobe (48%) or was centrally located (29%).
- Major resections included hemihepatectomy (62%) and trisegmentectomy (18%).
- Intraoperative (9%) and postoperative (22%) complications were observed, with tumor recurrence leading to a 27% mortality rate.
Conclusions:
- Surgical resection of hepatoblastoma is associated with significant, but manageable, intraoperative and postoperative complications.
- Tumor recurrence remains a primary cause of mortality after surgical treatment.
- Long-term surveillance and multidisciplinary management are essential for improving outcomes in hepatoblastoma patients.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to review the outcome and complications after resection of hepatoblastoma treated over 2 decades in our institution.
Methods:
Clinical, radiologic, and pathologic data were reviewed retrospectively, focusing on the outcome and complications.
Results:
Between January 1978 and December 2002, 56 children were treated for hepatoblastoma. The age range was 0.08 to 8.74 years (median, 1 year). The right lobe was involved in 48%, the left lobe in 22%, and in 29% the main bulk of the tumour was centrally located. Surgical procedures included the following: hemihepatectomy in 62%, trisegmentectomy in 18%, extended hemihepatectomy in 16%, and liver transplantation and laparotomy in one patient each. Intraoperative complications occurred in 5(9%)--rupture of the tumour (1), haemorrhage from the contralateral lobe (1), a defect in the left hepatic duct (1), cardiac arrest from tumour embolus (1), and bleeding from the inferior vena cava (1). The mean blood loss was 280 mL (50 to 2,000 mL). Postoperative complications occurred in 12 patients (22%) including subphrenic abscess (3), adhesion obstruction (2), ischaemic stenosis of the bile duct (1), abdominal wound dehiscence (1), pyloric obstruction (1), and pleural effusion (2). Fifteen patients died, 14 as a result of tumour recurrence (mortality rate, 27%).
