Impact of Hepatitis B Carrier Status on the Outcomes of Surgical Treatment of Colorectal Liver Metastases.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is associated with a lower incidence of colorectal liver metastases. We explored the impact of HBV carrier status on outcomes of surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted for consecutive patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal liver metastases from 2000 to 2016. HBV carriers were matched with controls by propensity scoring.

RESULTS: 304 patients with known HBV carrier status who underwent resection of colorectal liver metastases were studied. From the 21 (6.9%) hepatitis B carriers, a more prolonged prothrombin time (12.1 vs. 11.3 s, OR 1.42, p = 0.027) was observed, and fewer major resections were performed (19.0 vs. 47.3%, OR 0.262, p = 0.018). After 1:5 propensity score matching, they were compared with 105 controls with similar liver function, tumour status and receiving similar treatments. Patients with chronic hepatitis B enjoyed better median disease-free survival (15.8 vs. 9.20 month, p = 0.032). Overall survivals (50.0 vs. 43.6 month, p = 0.15) were similar. Operating time (227 vs. 240 min, OR 1.00, p = 0.33), blood loss (0.50 vs. 0.37 L, OR 1.15, p = 0.62), hospital stay (6 vs. 6 day, OR 1.02, p = 0.48), operative morbidity (9.5 vs. 16.2%, OR 0.545, p = 0.44) and mortality (0 vs. 1.0%, OR 1.62, p = 0.77) were comparable. The use of antiviral agents did not affect survival of HBV carriers.

CONCLUSIONS: Chronic HBV infection confers oncological benefit to surgical treatment of colorectal liver metastases. Given satisfactory liver reserve, HBV carrier status did not affect operative morbidity or mortality.