Postoperative Survival Analysis of Elective Colorectal Cancer Surgery with Liver Cirrhosis: A Propensity-Matched...

Background: Liver cirrhosis increases perioperative risk in colorectal cancer surgery, yet data on long-term outcomes remain limited. In this study, we evaluated postoperative morbidity, mortality, and survival in cirrhotic patients. Methods: In this single-center retrospective cohort, 53 cirrhotic patients undergoing elective colectomy or proctectomy (2011-2022) were propensity score-matched 1:1 with non-cirrhotic controls. Perioperative variables, complications, and survival were analyzed. Subgroup analyses were performed for right hemicolectomy and non-right hemicolectomy procedures. Kaplan-Meier and logistic regression analyses were implemented to assess outcomes and risk factors. Results: Cirrhotic patients had higher preoperative MELD-Na scores and lower albumin and hemoglobin levels. They experienced greater blood loss, longer operative times, more ICU admissions, and higher rates of major complications (18.9% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.01). Mortality was higher at in-hospital (7.5% vs. 0%), 3-month (9.4% vs. 0%), and 60-month (66% vs. 28.3%) intervals, and these patients' overall survival was shorter (70.7 vs. 116.8 months, p < 0.001). The subgroup analysis showed that the adverse impact of cirrhosis persisted for both right hemicolectomy and non-right hemicolectomy procedures, with significantly worse long-term survival in cirrhotic patients. Postoperative complications after right hemicolectomy did not differ significantly between groups. Among cirrhotic patients, Child-Turcotte-Pugh class B predicted worse survival than class A (40.1 vs. 84.8 months, p = 0.006). Preoperative hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dL) independently predicted long-term mortality (HR = 3.93). Conclusions: Elective colorectal surgery in patients with cirrhosis is associated with increased perioperative complications and significantly reduced long-term survival. However, postoperative outcomes after right hemicolectomy in cirrhotic patients were comparable to those of non-cirrhotic patients, despite their persistently poorer long-term survival. Optimization of nutritional status and careful preoperative assessment of hepatic reserve are essential to improving outcomes in this high-risk population.