Regular versus irregular liver resection for malignant tumors of the liver

AIM: To compare the clinical effects of regular versus irregular liver resection for malignant tumors of the liver. METHODS: Clinical data for 120 patients who underwent liver resection for malignant tumors of the liver at our hospital from January 2010 to December 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The amount of bleeding, the incidence of complications and mortality, and thelength of hospital stay showed no significant differences(all P > 0.05) between patients undergoing irregular liver resection and those undergoing regular liver resection. The operative time was significantly longer in the regular liver resection group than in the irregular liver resection group(221.8 min ± 101.7 min vs 211.3 min ± 102.6 min, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The aesthetic effect of regular liver resection is better than that of irregular liver resection. For patients with small tumors, irregular liver resection is more simple and effective and can achieve radical results. For those patients with cirrhosis, regular liver resection has higher safety. Liver resection strategy should be selected based on the patient's condition to improve effectiveness and safety.