• Francesco Ardito, Simone Famularo, Luca Aldrighetti, Gian Luca Grazi, Raffaele DallaValle, Marcello Maestri, Elio Jovine, Andrea Ruzzenente, Gian Luca Baiocchi, Giorgio Ercolani, Guido Griseri, Antonio Frena, Giacomo Zanus, Giuseppe Zimmitti, Adelmo Antonucci, Michele Crespi, Riccardo Memeo, Fabrizio Romano, Felice Giuliante, and HE.RC.O.LE.S. Group.
• Hepatobiliary Surgery Unit, Fondazione "Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS" Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
• Ann. Surg. 2020 Nov 1; 272 (5): 840-846.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate correlation between centers' volume and incidence of failure to rescue (FTR) following liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Summary Background DataFTR, defined as the probability of postoperative death among patients with major complication, has been proposed to assess quality of care during hospitalization. Perioperative management is challenging in cirrhotic patients and the ability to recognize and treat a complication may be fundamental to rescue patients from the risk of death.MethodsPatients undergoing liver resection for HCC between 2008 and 2018 in 18 Centers enrolled in the He.Rc.O.Le.S. Italian register. Early results included major complications (Clavien ≥3), 90-day mortality, and FTR and were analyzed according to center's volume.ResultsAmong 1935 included patients, major complication rate was 9.4% (8.6%, 12.3%, and 7.0% for low-, intermediate- and high-volume centers, respectively, P = 0.001). Ninety-day mortality rate was 2.6% (3.7%, 4.2% and 0.9% for low-, intermediate- and high-volume centers, respectively, P < 0.001). FTR was significantly higher at low- and intermediate-volume centers (28.6% and 26.5%, respectively) than at high-volume centers (6.1%, P = 0.002). Independent predictors for major complications were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) >2, portal hypertension, intraoperative blood transfusions, and center's volume. Independent predictors for 90-day mortality were ASA >2, Child-Pugh score B, BCLC stage B-C, and center's volume. Center's volume and BCLC stage were strongly associated with FTR.ConclusionsRisk of major complications and mortality was related with comorbidities, cirrhosis severity, and complexity of surgery. These factors were not correlated with FTR. Center's volume was the only independent predictor related with severe complications, mortality, and FTR.

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