Hepatic resection with cryotherapy to involved or inadequate resection margin (edge freeze) for metastases from colorectal cancer.

Background: In patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal liver metastases, a resection edge either involved by tumour or with the tumour extending to within 1 cm is associated with a high risk of liver recurrence and survival is reduced markedly.

Methods: Twenty-six patients underwent cryotherapy of the resection edge following liver resection for metastases from colorectal carcinoma with an involved or inadequate (less than 1 cm) resection margin.

Results: At a median follow-up of 23 (range 1-47) months four patients were alive and disease free, and 21 had developed recurrence, of whom 13 had died. One patient died following surgery. Sixteen patients developed recurrences involving the liver, only five of which were at the resection margin.

Conclusion: Cryotherapy to involved or inadequate resection margins improves local disease control considerably. The use of resection edge cryotherapy might allow a greater proportion of patients with liver metastases to be usefully treated and help to avoid high-risk resections.