Evaluation of delayed bleeding risks associated with partial hepatectomy: A nationwide population-based propensity score matching study

Background There is an increased bleeding risk following hepatectomy either due to surgical complications or the nature of liver dysfunction among these patients. For better prevention of delayed bleeding in patients undergoing hepatectomy with different kinds of comorbidities and medications, we examined the risk of major bleeding up to 10 years following hepatectomy. Materials and methods This retrospective study used data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database. Patients who underwent hepatectomy between 2000 and 2012 were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. The non-hepatectomy cohort was defined as patients without any record of hepatectomy. Variables including gender, age, comorbidities, and prescribed medications were matched between the hepatectomy and non-hepatectomy cohorts. Results A total of 1155 patients with hepatectomy and 1155 matched non-hepatectomy subjects were included in this study. The risk of major bleeding was significantly higher in the hepatectomy cohort than that of the non-hepatectomy cohort (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.60). The gastrointestinal tract was the most common site of bleeding among patients with bleeding tendencies (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.93). Compared with the non-hepatectomy cohort, patients who underwent hepatectomy were at greater risk of delayed major bleeding in the first decade following surgery (adjusted hazard ratios ranged from 1.56 to 1.70). Conclusion Hepatectomy poses a significant risk of delayed major bleeding, especially in the first decade following surgery. Proper prevention methods and close monitoring for bleeding complications are indicated for patients undergoing hepatic surgeries.