Impact of autotransfusion on recurrence of colorectal cancer liver metastasis: Long‐term follow‐up of patients undergoing curative intent hepatectomy

Abstract Introduction Colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) occurs in upto 50% of cases and drives patient outcomes. Up‐front liver resection is the treatment of choice in resectable cases. There is no consensus yet established as to the safety of intraoperative autotransfusion in liver resection for CRLM. Methods Patients undergoing curative‐intent hepatectomy for CRLM at a single quaternary‐care institution from 1999 to 2016 were included. Demographics, surgical variables, Fong Clinical Risk Score (FCRS), use of intraoperative auto and/or allotransfusion, and survival data were analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed accounting for allotransfusion, extent of hepatectomy, FCRS, and systemic treatment regimens. Results Three‐hundred sixteen patients were included. The median follow‐up was 10.4 years (7.8–14.1 years). The median recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in all patients were 1.6 years (interquartile range: 0.63–6.6 years) and 4.4 years (2.1–8.7), respectively. Before PSM, there was a significantly reduced RFS in the autotransfusion group (0.96 vs. 1.73 years, p = 0.20). There was no difference in OS (4.11 vs. 4.44 years, p = 0.118). Patients in groups of FCRS 0–2 and 3–5 both had reduced RFS when autotransfusion was used ( p = 0.005). This reduction in RFS was further found when comparing autotransfusion versus no autotransfusion within the FCRS 0–2 group and within the FCRS 3–5 group ( p = 0.027). On Cox‐regression analysis, autotransfusion (hazard ratio = 1.423, 1.028–2.182, p = 0.015) remained predictive of RFS. After PSM, there were no differences in FCRS ( p = 0.601), preoperative hemoglobin ( p = 0.880), allotransfusion ( p = 0.130), adjuvant chemotherapy ( p = 1.000), immunotherapy ( p = 0.172), tumor grade ( p = 1.000), use of platinum‐based chemotherapy ( p = 0.548), or type of hepatic resection ( p = 0.967). After matching, there was a higher rate of recurrence with autotransfusion (69.0% vs. 47.6%, p = 0.046). There was also a reduced time to recurrence in the autotransfusion group compared with the group without ( p = 0.006). There was no difference in OS after PSM ( p = 0.262). Conclusion Autotransfusion may adversely affect recurrence in liver resection for CRLM. Until further studies clarify this risk profile, the use of intraoperative autotransfusion should be critically assessed on a case‐by‐case basis only when other resuscitation options are not available.