A Multidisciplinary Approach to Pediatric Liver Cancer Decreases
Perioperative Complications and Improves Outcomes.
Abstract
Introduction: Partial hepatectomy in children with primary hepatic
malignancies has a complication rate as high as 30%. This has a
negative effect on outcomes. We organized a multidisciplinary team (MDT)
dedicated to the care of these patients to lower complication rates and
improve outcomes. Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed
for all patients < 18 years of age who underwent liver
resection at our institution between 2002 and 2019 for primary hepatic
cancer. Demographic, intraoperative, postoperative, pathologic, and
outcome data were analyzed for perioperative complications using the
CLASSIC and Clavien-Dindo (CD) scales, event-free survival (EFS) and
overall survival (OS). Results: Ten (13%) of 73 patients experienced a
major perioperative complication (CLASSIC or CD > 3); two
(3%) died within 30 days of surgery. After the implementation of a
dedicated MDT in 2014, the major perioperative complication rate
decreased from 18% to 10%, and rates for all complications dropped
from 52% to 20% (p=0.005). Older patient age (median 62 months vs. 50
months, p=0.05) and the presence of pulmonary metastases at diagnosis
(p=0.01) were associated with increased rates of major perioperative
complications. Among patients with a hepatoblastoma (n=62), the presence
of a major perioperative complication was associated with a worse EFS
(HR=5.45, p=0.03) on multivariate analysis. Patients treated following
MDT implementation had improved EFS (HR=0.18, p=0.04). Conclusions: Our
results demonstrate that, for children with primary liver malignancies,
a MDT can decrease the rate of complications of liver resection and
improve the oncological outcome of hepatoblastoma.