Hepatic resection for primary or secondary malignancies with involvement of the inferior vena cava: is this operation safe or hazardous?

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated surgical techniques and results of patients with tumors who had undergone liver resection with partial resection and reconstruction of the IVC. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent combined liver and IVC resection and reconstruction at a single institution. We identified 19 patients and two categories of tumors, primary (n = 8) and metastatic (n = 11). In 12 patients, a direct suture of the IVC was performed; in 3 patients a pericardium bovine patch was applied; in another 4 patients the IVC was replaced by PTFEt prosthesis. In nine patients, total hepatic vascular occlusion was required. RESULTS: Perioperative mortality was 5.9%, related to technical complications and hepatic insufficiency. Postoperative morbidity was 57.9%. Median survival time was 32 months (range 3 to 125 months). The 1-, 2-, and 5-year cumulative survival rates were 78.9%, 68%, and 49.1%, respectively. Tumor recurrence appeared in 13 patients and was the main cause of death (55.5%). Among the seven patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma, three are still alive at 31, 60, and 125 months after resection. In this group, 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates were 71.4%, 57.1%, and 38.1%. Among the 11 patients resected for colorectal liver metastases, the 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates were 81.8%, 62.3%, and 51.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Liver resection combined with IVC resection and reconstruction is a feasible procedure that can be performed with an acceptable operative risk leading to longterm outcome in selected patients.