Preoperative hepatitis B virus DNA level is a risk factor for postoperative liver failure in patients who underwent partial hepatectomy for hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Abstract

Our objective was to explore the short-term effects of preoperative serum hepatitis B virus DNA level (HBV DNA) on postoperative hepatic function in patients who underwent partial hepatectomy for hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The clinical data of 1,602 patients with hepatitis B-related HCC who underwent partial hepatectomy in our department were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into three groups according to their preoperative HBV DNA levels: group A <200 IU/mL, group B 200-20,000 IU/mL, and group C >20,000 IU/mL. The rates of postoperative complications, especially the rate of postoperative liver failure, were compared. There were significant differences among the three groups in the rates of postoperative liver failure. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, a high preoperative HBV DNA level was an independent risk factor for postoperative liver failure. Preoperative HBV DNA level was a significant risk factor for postoperative hepatic dysfunction.