Objective
The aim was to assess the predictive value of liver stiffness (LS) measurement by transient elastography (FibroScan) on the risk of postoperative hepatic decompensation in patients with cirrhosis undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Patients and methods
This prospective study was conducted on 40 adult patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC eligible for hepatic resection between 2015 and 2017. LS was prospectively measured for all patients. Preoperative and postoperative variables (patients’ demographics, comorbidities, laboratory, and radiological data) were collected.
Results
Hepatic insufficiency occurred in 35% of patients (14 patients). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of preoperative LS measurement identified a value equal to or higher than 15.4 KPa as the best cutoff value for predicting postoperative hepatic decompensation, with a sensitivity of 100%, specificity 100%, a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 100%.
Conclusion
LS measured by transient elastography (FibroScan) is a potentially reliable tool to predict postoperative hepatic decompensation in patients undergoing surgical resection for HCC.