Significance of poor performance status after resection of colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: Performance status (PS) is known as one of the strongest prognostic factors for survival in metastatic colorectal cancer patients. The aim of the present study was to analyze factors associated with poor PS assessed after resection for colorectal liver metastases and the impact on survival. METHODS: All patients undergoing curative resection for colorectal liver metastases between 2010 and 2015 in a single center were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 284 patients were included, out of whom 74 patients (26%) presented with a postoperative PS WHO > 2 precluding administration of adjuvant chemotherapy. These patients had a shorter recurrence-free survival (P = 0.002) and shorter overall survival (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that patients with PS > 2 after surgery had higher preoperative ASA score, had a higher frequency of major complications after surgery, and had more frequently synchronous liver and lung metastases. PS was found to be the strongest independent factor predicting survival (hazard ratio 0.45). When patients with postoperative PS > 2 developed recurrent disease (54 of 74), 43 (80%) received tumor specific treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with postoperative PS > 2 who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy had decreased recurrence-free and overall survival after liver resection for colorectal liver metastases. After recurrence, a large majority of these patients had had improvement in PS allowing for administration of tumor specific treatment.

Parenchyma-sparing hepatectomy (PSH) versus non-PSH for bilobar liver metastases of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative interventions have increased the resectability of colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases. This retrospective study compares outcomes after liver resection for bilobar CRC metastases between patients who underwent parenchyma-sparing hepatectomy (PSH), i.e., segmentectomies and smaller resections on both lobes, and those treated with non-PSH, i.e., hemihepatectomy plus any resection on the other lobe. METHODS: A cohort of 119 patients who underwent liver resection for bilobar CRC metastases were included. Perioperative course and long-term survival were compared between 59 patients who underwent PSH and 60 patients who underwent non-PSH. Statistical analyses were done using Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and the Mann-Whitney U test. Overall survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan-Meier estimator and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: The median number of liver metastases was 2 in patients treated with PSH and 3 in those treated with non-PSH (P<0.01). Postoperative mortality, severe complications and radicality did not differ significantly between groups. Median intraoperative bleeding was 250 mL for PSH and 600 mL for non-PSH (P<0.001). Median operation time and hospital stay were significantly shorter for PSH. Overall survival was comparable between groups, also after adjustment for covariates. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in outcome, except for differences in bleeding, operation time and postoperative stay, favoring PSH. Furthermore, minimizing resection did not influence radicality. Hence, this study supports the use of PSH for bilobar CRC liver metastases when possible.

The impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on skeletal muscle depletion and preoperative sarcopenia in patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative skeletal muscle depletion or sarcopenia has been suggested to predict worse outcome after resection of colorectal liver metastases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on preoperative skeletal muscle mass prior to liver resection. METHODS: Patients operated with liver resection for colorectal liver metastases between 2010 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Muscle mass was evaluated by measuring muscle area on a cross-sectional computed tomography image at the level of the third lumbar vertebra, and normalized for patient height, presenting a skeletal muscle index. RESULTS: Preoperative skeletal muscle mass was analysed in 225 patients, of whom 97 underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In total 147 patients (65%) were categorized as sarcopenic preoperatively. Patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy decreased in skeletal muscle mass (decrease by 5.5 (-1.1 to 11) % in skeletal muscle index, p < 0.001). Patients with muscle loss >5% during neoadjuvant chemotherapy were less likely to undergo adjuvant chemotherapy than others (68% vs 85%, p = 0.048). A >5% muscle loss did not result in worse overall (p = 0.131) or recurrence-free survival (p = 0.105). CONCLUSION: Skeletal muscle mass decreases during neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Skeletal muscle loss during neoadjuvant chemotherapy impairs the conditions for adjuvant chemotherapy.

Incisional hernia after open resections for colorectal liver metastases - incidence and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia is one of the most common complications after laparotomy. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate incidence, location and risk factors for incisional hernia after open resection for colorectal liver metastases including the use of perioperative chemotherapy and targeted therapy evaluated by computed tomography. METHODS: Patients operated for colorectal liver metastases between 2010 and 2013 were included. Incisional hernia was defined as a discontinuity in the abdominal fascia observed on computed tomography. RESULTS: A total of 256 patients were analyzed in regard to incisional hernia. Seventy-eight patients (30.5%) developed incisional hernia. Hernia locations were midline alone in 66 patients (84.6%) and involving the midline in another 8 patients (10.3%). In multivariate analysis, preoperative chemotherapy >6 cycles (hazard ratio 2.12, 95% confidence interval 1.14-3.94), preoperative bevacizumab (hazard ratio 3.63, 95% confidence interval 1.86-7.08) and incisional hernia from previous surgery (hazard ratio 3.50, 95% confidence interval 1.98-6.18) were found to be independent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged preoperative chemotherapy and also preoperative bevacizumab were strong predictors for developing an incisional hernia. After an extended right subcostal incision, the hernia location was almost exclusively in the midline.