Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Application of Laparoscopic Hepatectomy Combined with Intraoperative Microwave Ablation in Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis
Published on: March 3, 2023
The role of abdominal resectional surgery in metastatic melanoma
Russell Hodgson1, Michael A Fink, Robert M Jones
1Department of Surgery, University of Melburn, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. russell.hodgson@gmail.com
Background:
We reviewed our experience to determine the role of resectional surgery in metastatic melanoma to the abdomen.
Method:
An observational study of 25 patients at the Austin Hospital, Melbourne from 1997 to 2005.
Results:
The median survival after abdominal resectional surgery was 8.3 (range 0.4-41.1) months. Fourteen patients who underwent resection with curative intent (extra-abdominal disease controlled and complete macroscopic clearance of abdominal disease) had improved survival compared with 11 patients who underwent palliative resection (12 month survival, 89 vs 10%, respectively, P < 0.0001). Survival was also superior in patients with up to two metastases compared with more than two (P = 0.0001) and in patients with serum albumin of at least 35 g/L (P = 0.0031). Intent of surgery (curative vs palliative) was the only factor significant on multivariate analysis (P = 0.001). Of patients with preoperative symptoms, 87% had resolution of these symptoms. Operative morbidity was 12%, and 30-day mortality was 4%.
Conclusions:
In a highly selected group of patients with intra-abdominal melanoma metastases, resection of intra-abdominal metastases with curative intent resulted in prolonged survival compared with patients who underwent palliative resection. Those who underwent palliative resection had good relief of symptoms with minimal morbidity.
