The most common form of liver surgery is liver resection, or removal of a portion of the liver. Liver tissue is one of the few organs in the body that can regenerate itself. During a liver operation, our surgical team can remove as much as three-quarters of the liver safely. Within a few weeks, the liver can regenerate itself and return to normal size.
Understanding the Liver
The liver is a vital organ that functions to metabolize toxins and clean the blood of normal byproducts of human metabolism. The liver also produces enzymes and proteins necessary for good health. When is Liver Resection Performed? Hepatic surgery is performed to remove part of the liver when the patient is suffering from a tumor. Either benign or malignant tumors can impair liver functioning and are best removed surgically. In the case of malignant tumors, surgery is often followed by additional treatment such as radiation and/or chemotherapy. Not all tumors are resectable, but many are, and your surgeon will work with you to determine an appropriate course of treatment.