Abstract

Background: It is unclear whether hepatectomy, which ranges in invasiveness from partial to major hepatectomy, is safe and feasible for older adult patients. Therefore, we compared its postoperative complications and long-term outcomes between younger and older adult patients.

Methods: Patients who underwent hepatectomies for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment (N=406) from 01/2027 to 5/2025 at Hue Central Hospital were evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups: aged < 70 years (N = 293) and ≥ 70 years (N =113).

Results: In the entire cohort, no significant differences were found in complications between patients aged < 70 and ≥ 70 years, and the multivariate analysis did not reveal age as a prognostic factor for postoperative complications. However, overall survival was significantly worse in older patients, although no significant differences were noted in time to recurrence disease free survival or cancer-specific survival. In the major hepatectomy subgroup, long-term outcomes, including disease free survival, overall survival did not differ significantly between the age groups.

Conclusion: Hepatectomy might be safe and oncologically feasible option for elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. There was no difference in results, Mortality Rate and complications.