Cautionary Insights on Lymphadenectomy in Modern Liver Surgery

Short-term postoperative outcomes of lymphadenectomy for cholangiocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and colorectal liver metastases were analyzed in 3456 patients undergoing liver resection. Lymphadenectomy was performed in 16% of cases, with the highest rate seen in robotic-assisted resections. However, it was associated with an increased risk of liver-specific postoperative complications, particularly in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. These findings suggest caution in the routine use of lymphadenectomy during hepatic malignancy surgeries.