title: Adequate symptom relief justifies hepatic resection for benign disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of partial liver resection for benign liver lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients operated on for benign liver lesions from 1991 to 2002 were included. Information was retrieved from medical records, the hospital registration system and by a telephonic questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight patients with a median age of 41 years (17-71) were operated on (M/F ratio 5/23). The diagnosis was haemangioma in 8 patients, FNH in 6, HCA in 13 and angiomyolipoma in 1. Eight patients were known to have relevant co-morbidity. Median operating time was 207 minutes (45-360). The morbidity rate was 25% and no postoperative mortality was observed. Twenty-two patients (79%) had symptoms (mainly abdominal pain) prior to surgery. Twenty-five patients were reached for a questionnaire. The median follow up was 55 months (4-150). In 89% of patients preoperative symptoms had decreased or disappeared after surgery. Four patients developed late complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term follow up after liver surgery for benign liver lesions shows considerable symptom relief and patient satisfaction. In addition to a correct indication these results justify major surgery with associated morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery (G,04,228), University Medical Centre Utrecht, PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands. bfioole@planet.nl
authors.forename: Bram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fioole
authors.forename: Marike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kokke
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Hillegersberg
authors.forename: Inne H Borel
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Rinkes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018207:Angiomyolipoma / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D020518:Focal Nodular Hyperplasia / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000601:surgery*; D006498:Hepatectomy; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome