Individualized Selection Criteria Based on Tumor Burden in Future Remnant Liver for Staged Hepatectomy of Advanced CRLM: Conventional TSH or ALPPS

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Currently, two established staged hepatectomy techniques are used for curative resection of advanced colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) as well as preventing inadequate future remnant liver (FRL). However, the selection of staged hepatectomy between the conventional two-stage hepatectomy (cTSH) and the associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) remains under debate. Therefore, the present study proposed a selection criterion based on tumor burden related to the size and number of metastases within the FRL for decision making when utilizing staged hepatectomy for advanced CRLM. Accordingly, metastatic tumors within the FRL should not exceed three nodules and none of the nodules should measure larger than 3 cm for ALPPS. By contrast, cTSH would be considered in patients whose tumor burdens within the FRL beyond the aforementioned criteria. The individualized selection criteria appear to be promising and can be used to select a more effective staged hepatectomy approach for patients with advanced CRLM. ABSTRACT: Staged hepatectomy is a promising strategy for curative resection of advanced colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) to prevent inadequate future remnant liver (FRL). However, the selection criteria for conventional two-stage hepatectomy (cTSH) and associating liver partitioning and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) remain unclear. This study aimed to propose a selection criterion for determining the optimal staged hepatectomy for patients with advanced CRLM. A selection criterion based on the degree of metastatic tumors within the FRL was established to determine staged hepatectomy approaches. Generally, ALPPS is recommended for patients with ≤3 metastatic nodules and whose nodules do not measure >3 cm in the FRL. cTSH is performed for patients whose tumor burden in FRL beyond the selection criteria. Data of 37 patients who underwent staged hepatectomy and curative intent of CRLM were analyzed. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of the two approaches were compared. Overall, cTSH and ALPPS were performed for 27 (73.0%) and 10 (27.0%) patients, respectively. Of those, 20 patients in the cTSH group and all patients in the ALPPS group had completed staged hepatectomy. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 91.6%, 62.4%, and 45.4% for all patients, respectively. The outcomes of patients who had successfully completed the staged hepatectomy were significantly better than those of other patients who failed to achieve staged hepatectomy. However, no significant difference was observed in the overall survival of patients who underwent staged hepatectomy between the two groups, but those in the ALPPS group had 100% survival at the end of this study. The individualized selection criteria based on tumor burden in the FRL that could balance the operative risk and oncologic outcome appear to be a promising strategy for achieving complete staged hepatectomy in patients with advanced CRLM.