Surgical Management of Giant Hepatic Haemangioma - Need for Redefining the Nomenclature According to the Size.

INTRODUCTION

Haemangiomas are the most common benign tumours of the liver. Most of them are asymptomatic. Giant hepatic haemangioma is defined as size greater than 5 cm in diameter. The surgical treatment for giant hepatic haemangioma is not very well defined and reported. Here we analysed the treatment outcome of giant hepatic haemangiomas and redefined the nomenclature according to the size and proposing an algorithm for management of all hepatic haemangiomas.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective analyses of 6 giant hepatic haemangioma more than 10 cm in size treated by a single surgeon were included. The clinical characteristics, diagnosis, managements and outcomes were recorded. Review of literature was done for definitions, management strategies and outcome of giant haemangiomas and an algorithm was proposed.

RESULTS

Five patients were female and the mean age was 36.6 years (range 32 to 45). Pain abdomen was the most common symptoms (100%). Ultrasound abdomen was the initial diagnostic modality followed by contrast enhanced computed tomography. The mean size of haemangioma was 17.4cm (range 12cm to 32cm). Four patients had haemangioma in the left lobe and two had in the right lobe of liver. Formal hepatectomy was done in three patients and enucleation was done in three patients. The mean operating time was 3.66 hours (range 2.5 hours to 5 hours). The mean blood loss was 840ml (range 300ml to 1500ml). There was no surgical morbidity or mortality. On follow-up no haemangioma related complications are reported.

CONCLUSIONS

Giant hepatic haemangioma is mostly symptomatic. Hepatectomy and enucleation can be done without significant morbidity and mortality. There is a need for redefining the nomenclature of giant hepatic haemangiomas according to the size.