[Long-term results of irregular hepatectomy for primary liver cancer at the right lobe].

From 1964 to 1990, 228 cases with primary liver cancer at the right lobe underwent irregular hepatectomy in our hospital. Of them, 47 were asymptomatic. Alpha feto-protein (AFP) was positive in 162 (71%) and 195 patients were associated with liver cirrhosis (85.6%). In 60 cases, the tumor size was less than 5cm in diameter. During operation, the following methods were used for interruption of hepatic blood flow: temporary blockage of the hepatic hilum in 117 cases, microwave coagulation of hepatic parenchyma in 77 cases, continuous mattress sutures in 29 cases, hepatic clamp in 3 cases and other methods in 2 cases. One segment resection was done in 116 patients, two segments in 67, three segments in 28 and four segments in 17. One hundred and fifty-five patients underwent radical resection and 73 patients underwent palliative resection. The operative mortality was 2.6%. The 3- and 5- year survival rates of the patients so treated were 48.3% and 38.8%, respectively. The 3- and 5- year survival rates of the patients with small tumor ( < 5cm in diameter) after hepatectomy were 59.9% and 53.3%, respectively. The medvan survival time after palliative hepatectomy was 15.7 months.