Experiences In Surgical Management Of Cavernous Hemangioma Of The Liver

Background/Aims: Observation is usually recommended for managing patients with cavernous hemangioma of the liver. To assess the indications for surgical management, we make a retrospective analysis.Patients and Methods: There were 14 patients with cavernous hemangioma of the Liver who were surgically treated in National Taiwan University Hospital from 1984 to 1993.Results: The surgical indications included uncertain diagnosis in 10 patients, progressive tumor enlargement in, two, symptomatic tumor in one and subcapsular bleeding in one. The tumors were 2-15 cm in diameter and the median was 6 cm. The operation. procedures included atypical hepatectomy in 6 patients, lateral segmentectomy in 4, right lobectomy in one, extended right lobectomy in one and open. biopsy in two. There was no mortality. Wound infection occurred in. one patient. The average blood transfusion was 0.79 unit (range: 0-3 units) (1 unit=500 ml) The postoperative hospital stay was 13.2 days (range: 10-18 days).Conclusion: Surgical management of cavernous hemangioma of the Liver is safe.