Major hepatectomy is safe for hepatocellular carcinoma in elderly patients with cirrhosis

Abstract

With rigorous screening of patients and improvement of perioperative management and operative techniques, major hepatectomy can be safely performed on HCC patients aged 70 years or more with liver cirrhosis. Intraoperative red blood cell transfusion of 5 U or more was predictive of higher morbidity in the elderly. Surgeons should take care to minimize the likelihood of intraoperative blood transfusion in elderly patients.