Is less than 5 mm as the narrowest surgical margin width in central resections of hepatocellular carcinoma justified?

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate whether <5 mm as the narrowest margin width may negatively affect a patient's outcome. Methods: A prospective cohort study was designed. From January 1994 to July 2010, 196 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing central hepatectomy were divided into group A (n = 172; narrowest margin, ≥5 to <10 mm) and group B (n = 24; narrowest margin, <5 mm), and outcomes were compared. Results: Significant differences between groups A and B included tumor size (P =.057), infiltrative border (P =.021), satellite lesions (P =.021), and major perivascular abutment (P =.028). Marginal recurrence occurred in 50% of the patients in group B but none of those in group A (P <.001). There were no significant differences between the groups regarding recurrence, recurrence-related death, disease-free survival, and speed of recurrence, but a borderline significant difference was found regarding the cumulative probability of overall survival. After excluding early recurrence (within 1 year), group B had significantly lower cumulative probabilities of disease-free survival (P =.020) and overall survival (P <.001). Conclusions: In central resections, narrowest margin width of <5 mm does not negatively affect recurrence and overall survival. However, it increases perimargin recurrence and inversely affects late outcomes.