Neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not increase postoperative complication rate after resection of colorectal liver metastases

Background This paper discusses, whether neoadjuvant chemotherapy has an impact on the rate of postoperative complications after primary resection of liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma. Methods Of 183 patients 64 were studied. The patients were subdivided into two matched groups of 32 patients each—prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT-group) vs. (control-group, primary resection). Results There were no postoperative complications in 24 patients of the control group (75%) and 26 patients of the CT-group (81%). Following prior chemotherapy, no major complications such as liver failure were observed, even after extended resections. Conclusion Neoadjuvant chemotherapy prior to surgical resection of colorectal liver metastases does not result in an increase of postoperative morbidity and mortality.