Nzenwa IC, Pathak S, Knight SR, Mowbray NG, O’Reilly D, Jones RP. Postoperative surveillance after surgery for colorectal liver metastasis: a cross-sectional study.
Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2024;
106:213-218. [PMID:
37218655 PMCID:
PMC10904262 DOI:
10.1308/rcsann.2023.0027]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) are associated with a high recurrence rate after surgery. There is paucity of high-quality evidence regarding the nature and overall benefit of surveillance after hepatectomy for CRLM. As part of a broader programme of research, this study aimed to assess current strategies for surveillance after liver resection for CRLM and outline surgeons' opinions regarding the benefit of postoperative surveillance.
METHODS
An online survey was sent to clinicians performing surgery for CRLM at tertiary hepatobiliary centres in the UK.
RESULTS
There were responses from a total of 23 centres (88% response rate); 15/23 centres used standardised surveillance protocols for all patients. Most centres followed patients up at six months, but there is variation in postoperative surveillance at 3, 9, 18 and beyond 60 months. Patient comorbidities, indeterminate findings on imaging, margin status and assessment of recurrence risk were identified as the major factors influencing personalised surveillance strategies. There was clear clinician equipoise regarding the costs and benefits of surveillance.
CONCLUSION
There is heterogeneity in postoperative follow-up for CRLM in the UK. High-quality prospective studies and randomised trials are necessary to elucidate the value of postoperative surveillance and identify optimal follow-up strategies.
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