Prophylactic perihepatic lymphadenectomy in patients with colorectal cancer with liver metastasis: A prospective preliminary study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the present study was to prospectively evaluate the incidence of occult perihepatic lymph node metastasis. Patients and Methods: Perihepatic lymph nodes were dissected in 39 patients undergoing resection for colon cancer liver metastasis. Results: The complication rates of the two groups were not significantly different (P = 0.094). No mortality was associated with lymphadenectomy. The average rate of perihepatic lymph node retrieval was seven lymph nodes per patient. The perihepatic lymph node metastasis rate was 5.1 per cent. Conclusions: The radiologically-negative perihepatic lymph node metastasis rate was found to be 5.1 per cent among colorectal cancer patient undergoing liver resection. Due to the high risk of intra-abdominal bleeding, this should not be done routinely.