We investigated risk factors for delirium in 100 patients who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Postoperative delirium developed in 17 (17%). Univariate analysis revealed that advanced age (especially = 70 years old), a history of smoking, a decreased serum albumin concentration (especially < 3.8 g/dl), advanced cancer stage (II-IV), major hepatectomy, prolonged operating time, and large intraoperative blood loss were possible risk factors for postoperative delirium. When patients' preoperative condition and laboratory test results were subjected to multivariate analysis, only advanced age [odds ratio (OR) 1.201; confidence interval (CI) 1.063-1.357] and a decreased serum albumin concentration (OR 0.151; CI 0.025-0.900) were independent risk factors for the delirium. The percentages of patients with high aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities, a high indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes, a low platelet count, and advanced cancer stage (II-IV) were higher in patients with a low (< 3.8 g/dl), rather than high (= 3.8 g/dl) serum albumin concentration. These findings indicate that multiple factors, including advanced age, impaired liver function, and advanced cancer stage, affect the development of postoperative delirium after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

We retrospectively investigated factors associated with wound infection after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with special reference to use of a plastic adhesive drape impregnated with iodophor. The subjects were 296 patients undergoing liver resection for HCC. Wound infection was defined as purulent drainage from the superficial incision with or without laboratory confirmation. One or more of the following signs was required: pain or tenderness, localized swelling, or redness or heat. Wound infection developed in 25 patients. Regression analysis indicated that low body mass index (BMI), smoking, long preoperative hospital stay, and nonuse of iodophor drapes were risk factors for wound infection. Wound infection was significantly less likely with the use of iodophor drapes (3.1%) than for surgery without iodophor drapes (12.1%). By multivariate regression analysis, BMI, smoking, and lack of drape use were independent risk factors. Most of the bacteria isolated were skin bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. In conclusion, low BMI, smoking, a long preoperative hospital stay, and the lack of iodophor drape use were risk factors for wound infection after liver resection for HCC. The drapes presumably prevented contamination from the skin during the operation.