INTRODUCTION: The extent of optimal gastric resection for proximal gastric cancer (PGC) continues to remain controversial, and a final consensus is yet to be met. The current study aimed to compare the perioperative outc...INTRODUCTION: The extent of optimal gastric resection for proximal gastric cancer (PGC) continues to remain controversial, and a final consensus is yet to be met. The current study aimed to compare the perioperative outcomes, postoperative complications, and overall survival (OS) of proximal gastrectomy (PG) versus total gastrectomy (TG) in the treatment of PGC through a meta-analysis. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for articles published in English since database establishment to October 2019. Evaluated endpoints were perioperative outcomes, postoperative complications, and long-term survival outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 2,896 patients in 25 full-text articles were included, of which one was a prospective randomized study, one was a clinical phase III trial, and the rest were retrospective comparative studies. The PG group showed a higher incidence of anastomotic stenosis (OR = 2.21 [95% CI: 1.08-4.50]; p = 0.03) and reflux symptoms (OR = 3.33 [95% CI: 1.85-5.99]; p < 0.001) when compared with the TG group, while no difference was found in PG patients with double-tract reconstruction (DTR). The retrieved lymph nodes were clearly more in the TG group (WMD = -10.46 [95% CI: -12.76 to -8.17]; p < 0.001). The PG group was associated with a better 5-year OS relative to TG with 11 included studies (OR = 1.35 [95% CI: 1.03-1.77]; p = 0.03). After stratification for early gastric cancer and PG with DTR groups, however, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (OR = 1.35 [95% CI: 0.59-2.45]; p = 0.62). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, PG was associated with a visible improved long-term survival outcome for all irrespective of tumor stage, while a similar 5-year OS for only early gastric cancer patients between the 2 groups. Future randomized clinical trials of esophagojejunostomy techniques, such as DTR following PG, are expected to prevent postoperative complications and assist surgeons in the choice of surgical approach for PGC patients.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Whether surgical resection or repeated ablation should be recommended for intrahepatic recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) conforming to the Milan criteria after initial ablation remains unclear...BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Whether surgical resection or repeated ablation should be recommended for intrahepatic recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) conforming to the Milan criteria after initial ablation remains unclear. In this study, we compared the outcomes of patients who underwent surgical resection with those who underwent re-ablation for recurrent HCC after initial curative-intent ablation. METHODS: The data of 28 and 98 patients who underwent surgical resection and re-ablation, respectively, for recurrent HCC after initial ablation between January 2003 and 2017 were analyzed using propensity score matching. RESULTS: Before matching, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 95.7, 83.0, and 74.4% for the ablation group, compared to 92.9, 89.1, and 70.9% for the resection group (p = 0.490). The corresponding disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 67.5, 40.1, and 25.6% for the ablation group and were 85.4, 59.9, and 53.3% for the resection group (p = 0.018). After matching, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates for the ablation and resection group were 95.2, 85.5 and 81.8% versus 96.0, 96.0, and 76.4%, respectively (p = 0.550). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year DFS rates were 58.0, 39.5, and 29.9% for the ablation group and were 95.8, 67.2, and 59.8% for the resection group (p = 0.004). Cox proportional hazards model identified surgical resection as the only significant prognostic factor for DFS but not for OS. CONCLUSION: For intrahepatic recurrent HCC patients after initial ablation, surgical resection could provide better DFS than re-ablation, while no difference in OS was observed between the 2 treatment groups.
INTRODUCTION: Complications following oesophagogastric surgery have significant implications for patient recovery. OBJECTIVE: identify cost-effective biomarkers which can predict morbidity. METHODS: Analysis of all upper...INTRODUCTION: Complications following oesophagogastric surgery have significant implications for patient recovery. OBJECTIVE: identify cost-effective biomarkers which can predict morbidity. METHODS: Analysis of all upper gastrointestinal resections in Galway University Hospital from 2014 to 2018 was performed. The ability of C-reactive protein (CRP), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and CRP-lymphocyte ratio (CLR) to predict morbidity, including anastomotic leak (AL), was assessed and compared. RESULTS: Seventy-one oesophagectomies and 77 gastrectomies were performed. There were 2 (1%) 30-day mortalities and 83 (56%) morbidities of which 30 (20%) were of Clavien-Dindo grade 3 or higher. The rate of major morbidity within the oesophagectomy cohort was 27% and was 14% in the gastrectomy cohort. There were 11 (7%) ALs, 7 in the oesophagectomy cohort, and 4 in the gastrectomy cohort. From post-operative day (POD) 2 onwards, CRP could predict AL (POD2 AUC = 0.705, p = 0.025; POD3 AUC = 0.757, p = 0.005, POD4 AUC = 0.811, p = 0.001; and POD5 AUC = 0.824, p = 0.001). CLR predicted AL on POD2 onwards (POD2 AUC = 0.722, p = 0.005; POD3 AUC = 0.736, p = 0.01; POD4 AUC = 0.775, p = 0.003; and POD5 AUC = 0.817, p = 0.001). CRP level of 218 mg/dL and CLR level of 301 at POD 2 generated negative predictive values of 97 and 98%, respectively, for AL. Post-operative NLR did not display sufficient discriminatory ability for the outcomes. CONCLUSION: CRP and CLR are reliable negative predictors of major morbidity, including AL, after oesophagogastric resection. Their use can inform patient intervention and recovery.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to compare the prognostic impact of 2 precursor lesions of ampullary adenocarcinoma, intra-ampullary papillary-tubular neoplasm (IAPN) and flat dysplasia (FD). METHODS: From December...BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to compare the prognostic impact of 2 precursor lesions of ampullary adenocarcinoma, intra-ampullary papillary-tubular neoplasm (IAPN) and flat dysplasia (FD). METHODS: From December 1994 to December 2012, a total of 359 patients underwent curative surgery for ampullary adenocarcinoma. RESULTS: The precursor lesions were IAPNs in 134 (37.3%) patients and FD in the other 225 (62.7%) patients. The FD group had more aggressive tumor biology with advanced T stage (p = 0.002), nodal involvement (p < 0.001), poor differentiation (p < 0.001), perineural and lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.001), and pancreatobiliary or mixed subtype (p < 0.001). Five-year overall survival rates were 71.1% in the IAPN group and 51.4% in the FD group (p = 0.002), respectively. Five-year disease-free survival rates were 69.7% in the IAPN group and 49.6% in the FD group (p < 0.001), respectively. The recurrence rate was also higher in the FD group (49.8 vs. 30.6%; p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, higher levels of tumor markers including CEA and CA19-9, lymph node metastasis, poorly differentiated histology, and perineural invasion were negative predictive factors for survival. Higher levels of CEA and CA19-9, lymphovascular invasion, and FD were independent prognostic factors for recurrence. CONCLUSION: FD was significantly associated with worse prognosis and a greater tendency toward advanced disease. Further studies are needed to clarify the impacts of these precursor lesions.
BACKGROUND: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in elderly patients is increasing worldwide. Although open hepatectomy (OH) yields acceptable outcomes, high morbidity rate is concerned. Laparoscopic hepatecto...BACKGROUND: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in elderly patients is increasing worldwide. Although open hepatectomy (OH) yields acceptable outcomes, high morbidity rate is concerned. Laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) has evolved to improve perioperative outcomes. However, comparative study between both techniques for elderly patients with HCC is scarce. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare outcomes between LH and OH specifically. METHODS: HCC patients aged ≥70 years after hepatectomy (2003-2018) were included. The propensity score matching (PSM) and comparative analyses between groups were performed. RESULTS: After PSM, there were 41 patients in each group with similar demographics, radiographic tumor characteristics, cirrhotic status, and extent of resection. The LH group had a shorter hospital stay (7 vs. 11 days, p = 0.002) compared with the OH group. The completeness of resection and complication rates were not statistically different between groups. The 5-year overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates were 86.7 and 43.4% in the LH group and 62.2 and 30.8% in the OH group (p = 0.221 and 0.500). CONCLUSION: Our study confirmed the operative and oncological safety of LH in elderly HCC patients with improved perioperative outcomes compared with OH.
INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) frequently present as a large exophytically growing mass in the stomach, for which open partial gastrectomy is standard of care. The aim of this study was to evaluate...INTRODUCTION: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) frequently present as a large exophytically growing mass in the stomach, for which open partial gastrectomy is standard of care. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of minimally invasive gastric resection (MIG) of large (>5 cm) GIST. METHODS: All patients who underwent MIG for a GIST in the University Medical Center Utrecht between 2011 and 2019 were included. Postoperative course and oncological outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients with gastric GIST, median size 53 mm [20-175 mm], underwent MIG. In 4 patients, preoperative imatinib was given, aiming for tumor regression. Conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery occurred once (5%). An additional resection was performed in 3 patients (14%). In 2 patients (9%), an intraoperative complication occurred, consisting of tumor rupture in 1 patient (5%), and 6 patients (27%) developed postoperative complications. Median hospital stay was 5 days [3-7 days]. R0 resection was achieved in 96%. In 4 patients, adjuvant treatment was indicated. The median follow-up was 31 months, and 1-, 3- and 5-year disease-free survival were 94, 74 and 74%, respectively. One patient presented with local recurrence 2 years after the index resection. CONCLUSION: MIG for large GIST up to 17.5 cm in diameter is safe, feasible, and oncologically sound, allowing for a controlled resection and reduced patient morbidity.
INTRODUCTION: Recent studies suggest that nonoperative management of appendicitis (NOMA) may be a reasonable option for managing uncomplicated acute appendicitis. We examined the Internet to see if patients are likely to...INTRODUCTION: Recent studies suggest that nonoperative management of appendicitis (NOMA) may be a reasonable option for managing uncomplicated acute appendicitis. We examined the Internet to see if patients are likely to find the information they need to make an informed decision between the 2 options. METHODS: A list of 29 search terms was established by a focus group and then entered into Google, resulting in 49 unique webpages, each reviewed by 3 reviewers. Consensus was obtained for bias (surgery, NOMA, or balanced), webpage type, JAMA score, reading grade, and DISCERN score, a measure of quality of written information for patients. RESULTS: Thirty of the 49 websites (61%) favored surgery, while 13 (27%) favored NOMA, and 6 sites (12%) provided balanced information. Twelve of 49 sites (24%) did not list NOMA as an option. The majority of patient-directed (11/12 = 92%) and physician-directed (7/9 = 78%) webpages favored surgery, whereas academic webpages presented a more balanced distribution. Academic and physician-directed webpages ranked higher than commercial and news webpages (median ranks 3 and 4 vs. 7.5 and 8). Only 8/49 sites (16%) mentioned that the presence of a fecalith predicts the failure of NOMA. Reading grades were almost all well above the recommended grade 8 level. CONCLUSION: Most of the webpages available on the Internet do not provide enough information, nor are they sufficiently understandable to allow most patients to make an informed decision about the current options for the management of acute appendicitis.
BACKGROUND: Practice variation generally raises concerns about the quality of care. This study determined the longitudinal degree of hospital variation in proportion of patients with gallstone disease undergoing cholecys...BACKGROUND: Practice variation generally raises concerns about the quality of care. This study determined the longitudinal degree of hospital variation in proportion of patients with gallstone disease undergoing cholecystectomy, while adjusted for case-mix, and the effect on clinical outcomes. METHODS: A nationwide, longitudinal, database study was performed in all hospitals in the Netherlands in 2013-2015. Patients with gallstone disease were collected from the diagnosis-related group database. Hospital variation in case-mix-adjusted cholecystectomy rates was calculated per year. Clinical outcomes after cholecystectomy were compared between hospitals in the lowest/highest 20th percentile of the distribution of adjusted cholecystectomy rates in all 3 subsequent years. RESULTS: In total, 96,673 patients with gallstones were included. The cholecystectomy rate was 73.6%. In 2013-2015, the case-mix-adjusted performance of cholecystectomies was in hospitals with high rates 1.5-1.6 times higher than in hospitals with low rates. Hospitals with a high adjusted cholecystectomy rate had a higher laparoscopy rate, shorter time to surgery, and less emergency department visits after a cholecystectomy compared to hospitals with a low-adjusted cholecystectomy rate. CONCLUSION: Hospital variation in cholecystectomies in the Netherlands is modest, cholecystectomy rates varies by <2-fold, and variation is stable over time. Cholecystectomies in hospitals with high adjusted cholecystectomy rates are associated with improved outcomes.
BACKGROUND: Mexican health system structure allows us to study the differences in bile duct injury (BDI) management. The study aimed to assess the differences in patients with complex BDI in 2 different public sector ins...BACKGROUND: Mexican health system structure allows us to study the differences in bile duct injury (BDI) management. The study aimed to assess the differences in patients with complex BDI in 2 different public sector institutions using a new proposed standard terminology. METHODS: Retrospective review (2008-2019) in 2 public institutions (IMSS/SESVER). Bismuth-Strasberg E injuries with hepaticojejunostomy were included. Data are presented in a tabular reporting system. The outcomes were percent of patients attaining primary patency, loss of primary patency, and actuarial primary patency rate. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients (IMSS: n = 37; SESVER: n = 41) without differences in demographic and preoperative assessment were studied. BDI occurred mostly in outside hospitals. Open cholecystectomy was the most common index operation in SESVER (73%, p = 0.02). IMSS had more surgeries (p = 0.007) and repair attempts (p = 0.06) prior to referral. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was more commonly used in IMSS patients. Biliary stents (45%) and cholangitis (29%) were more common in IMSS (p < 0.05). IMSS patients had longer follow-up than SESVER (p < 0.05). No differences in primary patency rates (IMSS: 89%, SESVER: 97%) and actuarial patency rates were noted. DISCUSSION: Despite differences in referral, preoperative, and operative events, good BDI repair outcomes can be achieved. Longer follow-up is needed to monitor these outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate long-term results in patients from regular health care treated with endoscopic transanal closure system, that is, endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure system (EVAC) compared to transanal irr...OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate long-term results in patients from regular health care treated with endoscopic transanal closure system, that is, endoscopic vacuum-assisted closure system (EVAC) compared to transanal irrigation. METHODS: In this retrospective, medical chart-based, observational study, we included patients with anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection for rectal cancer from 3 Stockholm hospitals 2006-2016 and compared time to first stoma closure in a Kaplan-Meier model and the proportion of patients who were stoma-free at end of follow-up. RESULTS: Anastomotic leakage was found in 81 patients who were followed up in median 5.9 years (min-max: 0.53-13). EVAC was used on 14 (17%) patients and transanal irrigation on 34 (42%) patients. The remaining 33 (41%) patients either got a permanent colostomy or were treated only with antibiotics and percutaneous drainage. Treatment with EVAC or transanal irrigation led to similar rates of stoma closure, both when comparing all patients, and when comparing patients with similar defects. At the end of follow-up, 43% of patients treated with EVAC and 50% of patients treated with repeated irrigation were stoma-free (p = 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence of better outcomes in patients treated with EVAC. The study was, however, limited by small sample size.
BACKGROUND: The present study was to investigate the influence of induction therapy on robot-assisted McKeown esophagectomy (RAME) with radical superior mediastinal lymph node dissection for esophageal squamous cell carc...BACKGROUND: The present study was to investigate the influence of induction therapy on robot-assisted McKeown esophagectomy (RAME) with radical superior mediastinal lymph node dissection for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a high-volume cancer center. METHODS: A consecutive patient cohort who underwent RAME from January 2017 to May 2019 were reviewed. The perioperative outcomes of patients with induction therapy were compared with those who had surgery alone. RESULTS: In total, 118 patients underwent RAME during the study period. The average age was 59.1 ± 7.5 years, including 100 male and 18 female patients. Thirty patients (25.4%) had induction therapy, and 88 patients did not receive induction therapy. The average age of the patients treated with induction therapy was younger than those received surgery alone (56.8 ± 6.1 vs. 59.5 ± 7.6 years, p = 0.039). There were no statistically significant differences in the mean operative time and estimated blood loss between both groups. Complications occurred in 46 (39.0%) patients. There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of any complications between both groups (p = 0.951). There were no deaths in either group. The hospital stay was prolonged in patients with induction therapy than those in the surgery-alone group (20.8 ± 8.9 vs. 16.8 ± 6.0, p = 0.048). There was no statistically significant difference in the average number of dissected lymph nodes in total and both recurrent laryngeal nerve stations between both groups. CONCLUSION: For patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, induction therapy has no influence on RAME with radical superior mediastinal lymph node dissection.
INTRODUCTION: Various inflammatory markers have been investigated for a prognostic role in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. However, the value of preoperative platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) remains controv...INTRODUCTION: Various inflammatory markers have been investigated for a prognostic role in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. However, the value of preoperative platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) remains controversial. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of PLR as a preoperative prognostic factor for resectable pancreatic cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Systematic literature search was conducted for studies assessing PLR influence as a preoperative prognostic factor in resectable pancreatic cancer patients. Random-effects model was applied for pooling hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals related to overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: Fourteen articles with 2,743 patients were included in the study. According to the analysis, high PLR had no correlation with decreased OS. Due to high heterogeneity among studies, subgroup analysis was performed. Better OS was associated with low PLR in Asian patients, patients with mixed type of operation performed, and patients with preoperative PLR ≤150. Low PLR was associated with significantly better DFS. CONCLUSIONS: PLR is a predictive factor of better DFS in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. However, available evidence does not support PLR as a reliable prognostic factor for OS.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to demonstrate the clinical features and postoperative outcomes of extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD) neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) and compared with those of adenocarcinoma. METHODS: We retrospec...OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to demonstrate the clinical features and postoperative outcomes of extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD) neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) and compared with those of adenocarcinoma. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients with EHBD cancer operated in our institution between 1995 and 2015. RESULTS: Of 475 patients, 468 had adenocarcinoma, while 7 had NEC/mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) in this study. There were no notable preoperative and pathological features in patients with NEC/MANEC. However, patients with NEC/MANEC had a higher recurrence rate (51.8 vs. 100%, p = 0.016), poorer relapse-free survival (RFS) time (the median RFS time: 35 vs. 12 months, p = 0.006), and poorer overall survival (OS) time (the median OS time: 60 vs. 19 months, p = 0.078) than those with adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, patients with NEC/MANEC had higher rates of liver metastasis (11.9 vs. 85.7%, p < 0.001) than those with adenocarcinoma. In multivariable regression analysis, pathological type with NEC/MANEC was a risk factor for poorer RFS (p = 0.022, hazard ratio: 6.09). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with NEC/MANEC have high malignant potential and poor outcomes. It is necessary to develop an effective approach and postoperative adjuvant treatment for patients with NEC/MANEC.
PURPOSES: To explore the safety and feasibility of totally robotic distal gastrectomy (TRDG) for gastric cancer patients who undergo distal gastrectomy. METHODS: Consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent TRD...PURPOSES: To explore the safety and feasibility of totally robotic distal gastrectomy (TRDG) for gastric cancer patients who undergo distal gastrectomy. METHODS: Consecutive patients with gastric cancer who underwent TRDG (TRDG group) and robotic-assisted distal gastrectomy (RADG) (RADG group) were systematically reviewed at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from October 2015 to August 2018. Data were collected and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 161 consecutive patients were included in this study: 84 cases in the TRDG group and 77 in the RADG group. Clinical characteristics and pathological results were mostly similar in both groups. The TRDG group had a significantly longer anastomotic time (20.6 ± 3.3 vs. 17.5 ± 4.0 min, p ˂ 0.001) but showed no difference in total operating time (167.0 ± 18.0 vs. 162.9 ± 17.6 min, p = 0.159). The postoperative hospitalization in the TRDG group was shorter than that in the RADG group (6.7 ± 1.2 vs. 7.2 ± 1.7 days, p = 0.019). Conversion rate, estimated blood loss, and postoperative complications were similar in both groups. There were no statistical differences in the estimated 2-year disease-free survival and overall survival rate between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although our current results need to be verified in further studies, TRDG represents a safe and feasible approach to distal gastrectomy and embodies the theory of minimally invasive surgery.
INTRODUCTION: The impact of bacterobilia on postoperative surgical and infectious complications after partial pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is still a matter of debate. METHODS: All patients undergoing PD with and without...INTRODUCTION: The impact of bacterobilia on postoperative surgical and infectious complications after partial pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is still a matter of debate. METHODS: All patients undergoing PD with and without a preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) with complete information regarding microbial bile colonization were included. Logistic regression was applied to assess the influence of bacterobilia on postoperative outcome. RESULTS: One hundred seventy patients were retrospectively analysed. Clinically relevant postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ III) occurred in 40 (23.5%) patients, clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistulas in 29 (17.1%) patients, and surgical site infections (SSIs) in 16 (9.4%) patients. Thirty-seven of 39 (94.9%) patients with PBD and 33 of 131 (25.2%) patients without PBD had positive bile cultures (p < 0.001). A polymicrobial bile colonization was reported in 9 of 33 (27.3%) patients without PBD and 27 of 37 (73%) patients with PBD (p < 0.001). Resistance to ampicillin-sulbactam was shown in 26 of 37 (70.3%) patients with PBD and 12 of 33 (36.4%) patients without PBD (p = 0.001). PBD (OR 0.015, 95% CI 0.003-0.07, p < 0.001) and male sex (OR 3.286, 95% CI 1.441-7.492, p = 0.005) were independent predictors of bacterobilia in the multivariable analysis. Bacterobilia was the only independent predictor of SSIs in the multivariable analysis (OR 0.143, 95% CI 0.038-0.535, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a PBD show significantly higher rates of bacterobilia, polymicrobial bile colonization, and resistance to ampicillin-sulbactam. Bacterobilia is an independent predictor of SSI after PD.
BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with extrahepatic metastases who can undergo hepatectomy. METHODS: A total of 32 patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC with e...BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with extrahepatic metastases who can undergo hepatectomy. METHODS: A total of 32 patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC with extrahepatic metastases, including lymph node and/or distant metastases were recruited for this study. RESULTS: Fourteen patients had lymph node metastasis only, 16 had distant metastasis only, and 2 had both metastasis types during preoperative diagnosis. The 3-year overall survival (OS) rate of all patients was 17.9%, and the median survival time (MST) was 11.8 months. Univariate analysis revealed that intrahepatic maximal tumor size, intrahepatic tumor number, and intrahepatic tumor control after hepatectomy were significant factors influencing OS (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that independent risk factors for OS were intrahepatic maximal tumor size and intrahepatic tumor number (p < 0.05). The MST and 3-year OS rate of patients with maximal tumor size <100 mm and intrahepatic tumor number ≤2 were 39.0 months and 51.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatectomy is not recommended for HCC patients with extrahepatic metastasis with ≥3 intrahepatic tumors, even when all intrahepatic tumors can be eliminated via hepatectomy. Aggressive surgery may be justified for HCC patients with ≤2 intrahepatic tumors and maximal tumor size <100 mm, irrespective of vascular invasion.