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BMC Surgery 2011
Safety of liver resection and effect on quality of life in patients with benign hepatic disease: Single center experienceAbstract: A total of 146 patients who underwent liver resection because of benign liver tumors were included in this study. Postoperative outcome was assessed and patients evaluated their quality of life before surgery and at the present time using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (QLQ C-30).The rate of serious (> grade 2) complications was 4.1% with no postoperative death. The quality of life assessment revealed an overall improvement of general health status after resection (0.7 vs. 0.56, p < 0.001) and additionally a significant reduction of 6 out of 9 symptoms. Furthermore, compelling benefits in the patients' social and emotional coping could be detected after surgery.Liver resection for benign liver disease is a safe procedure and leads to a significant improvement of quality of life in selected patients.In recent years benign liver tumors have been diagnosed in larger numbers due to advantages in diagnostic imaging modalities [1-4]. Most common benign entities are hemangioma, followed by focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) and adenoma, which together represent more than 80% of all benign liver tumors [3-5]. Rare benign liver diseases include for instance parasitic liver cysts, cystadenoma, caroli's disease and angiomyolipoma. Although data are heterogenous incidence of simple liver cysts is estimated to be approximately 5% [3-5]. Despite widespread availability of imaging modalities the differentiation between benign and malignant liver tumors remains a diagnostic challenge. While the accurate distinction between FNH and adenoma, as well as hepatocellular carcinoma, may be difficult, it is essential with regard to the appropriate treatment strategy [6]. Percutaneous liver biopsy often has limited benefit and must be regarded as contraindicated, especially in hypervascular tumors such as hemangioma [7].Most benign tumors do not require aggressive treatment and the indication for resection of benign hepatic
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