Impact of open and minimally invasive resection of symptomatic solid benign liver tumours on symptoms and quality of life: a systematic review

Background: The value of open and minimally invasive liver resection for symptomatic solid benign liver tumours (BLT) such as hepatocellular adenoma, focal nodular hyperplasia and haemangioma is being debated. A systematic review on symptom relief, quality of life (QoL) and surgical outcome after both open and minimally invasive surgery for solid BLT is currently lacking.

Methods: A systematic search in PubMed and EMBASE was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines (January 1985-April 2018). Articles reporting pre-and postoperative symptoms or QoL in patients undergoing open or minimally surgery for BLT were evaluated. Methodological quality was assessed using the MINORS tool.

Results: Forty-two studies were included with 4061 patients undergoing surgery for BLT, 3536 (87%) open and 525 (13%) laparoscopic resections. Randomized and propensity-matched studies were lacking. Symptoms were the indication for resection in 56% of the patients. After a weighted mean of 28.5 months follow-up after surgery, symptoms were relieved in 82% of symptomatic patients. Validated QoL tools were used in eight studies, of which two found significant better QoL scores following laparoscopic compared to open surgery.

Discussion: Resection of symptomatic BLT seems safe and relieves symptoms in the vast majority of selected patients. Comparative studies are needed before more firm conclusions can be drawn.