High Plasma Alpha-Fetoprotein Level Is Associated With Early Postoperative Complications in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Southern Vietnam During 2018-2023: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Liver tumor resection surgery for HCC treatment causes postoperative complications that affect long-term outcomes and the patient's quality of life. We performed this study to determine the early complication rate and predictive value of plasma AFP for early postoperative complications in HCC patients.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional, longitudinal descriptive study on 98 HCC patients treated with radical surgery from March 2018 to March 2023. We included all patients > 16 years old, indicated and undergoing liver resection using the Ton That Tung method, had HCC histopathology results, and agreed to participate in the study group. Pregnant or breastfeeding females, having portal vein thrombosis, or not meeting the study criteria were excluded from this study. The main complications were collected during the postoperative stay. All patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 ( = 26) was the group with complications, Group 2 ( = 72) was the group without complications.

RESULTS

There were 26 patients (26.5%) who had complications after surgery, of which liver function failure accounted for 4.1% (4 patients) and ascites accounted for 12.3% (12 patients). Alcoholism, hepatitis virus infection, low platelets, increased plasma AFP, and high Child-Pugh score were independent factors related to the complications after surgery,  < 0.05. ALBI index, Child-Pugh score, and plasma AFP concentration predicted postoperative complications with AUC of 0.677, 0.777, and 0.834, respectively ( < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The rate of complications after surgery was 26.5%. Plasma AFP concentration was a good predictor of postoperative complications.