The liver is the body’s largest internal organ and one of its most vital. Positioned in the upper right side of the abdomen, it plays a key role in maintaining your health, including filtering toxins from the blood, supporting digestion and converting nutrients into energy. It works alongside the gallbladder, which stores bile made by the liver to aid in fat digestion. The liver can regenerate itself, even after significant portions are removed through liver surgery such as a hepatectomy.

Despite its resilience, the liver is not immune to damage. Liver disease affects more than 100 million people in the United States, and many are unaware they have it. Causes can include viral infections like hepatitis, alcohol or drug misuse, genetic disorders and obesity. Over time, these factors may lead to irreversible signs of liver damage, including cirrhosis, jaundice, swelling, fatigue and changes in urine or stool color.

Treatment depends on the underlying condition. Some individuals respond well to medications or lifestyle changes, while others may require advanced care, including liver cancer surgery or even a liver transplant. For patients with benign tumors, cancerous tumors or diseases like hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma or metastatic colorectal cancer, a liver resection removing the diseased portion of the liver may be recommended to preserve liver function and prevent further complications.

What Is a Liver Resection?

A liver resection, also known as a partial hepatectomy or hepatectomy, is a surgical procedure to remove a portion of the liver. This type of liver surgery is typically recommended for patients with a single cancerous tumor or benign tumor that has not invaded the liver’s blood vessels and who still have adequate liver function.

Before surgery, imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI are used to determine whether the tumor is resectable, meaning it can be safely removed. However, in some cases, the tumor may be found to be too large or too widespread once surgery begins, and the planned hepatectomy cannot be completed.

When a partial liver resection is successful, the healthy portion of the liver will continue to perform all essential bodily functions. In many cases, the remaining liver tissue regenerates and grows to its normal size over time.

Why Is Liver Resection Performed?

Liver resection is primarily used to treat liver cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma and liver tumors that may have spread from other cancers, such as metastatic colorectal cancer. It may also be recommended for patients with large or symptomatic benign tumors, depending on their size and impact on overall liver function.

This type of liver cancer surgery is only appropriate for select patients, typically those in good overall health with sufficient liver function and a tumor confined to a single area. Many patients with liver cancer in the United States also have cirrhosis, which limits how much liver tissue can be safely removed. Doctors often use the Child-Pugh scoring system to assess whether a patient has enough healthy liver remaining to undergo surgery. Patients with Class A liver function are most likely to be candidates for resection, while those in Classes B and C may require alternative treatments like liver transplantation.

Although liver resection offers a potential cure for some patients, it is a major procedure and carries several risks, including:

• Bleeding, due to the liver’s rich blood supply and its role in clotting
• Infection
• Complications from anesthesia
• Blood clots or pneumonia
• Risk of new liver cancer developing in the remaining liver if an underlying liver disease persists

Because of these risks, liver surgery should only be performed by experienced surgical teams specializing in liver and cancer care.

What Are the Types of Liver Resection Procedures?

Liver resection or hepatectomy involves various surgical techniques tailored to the tumor’s location, size and the patient’s overall liver health. The primary types include:

• Anatomical Resection: This approach removes entire liver segments or lobes based on the liver's internal anatomy. Anatomical resection is often preferred for malignant tumors to help ensure complete removal and reduce the risk of recurrence.
• Non-Anatomical (Wedge) Resection: Only the tumor and a small margin of healthy tissue are excised in this method. It is typically reserved for benign tumors or when preserving liver function is most important.

How Do I Prepare for Liver Resection Surgery?

Preparing for liver resection surgery begins with a series of tests to make sure patients are healthy enough for the procedure and likely to recover well. These pre-surgical evaluations are essential for both the patient’s safety and the success of the operation.

Preoperative tests may include:

• Blood tests to check overall health, liver function and kidney function
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) to assess heart rhythm and health
• Lung function tests to evaluate how well the lungs are working
• Echocardiogram to provide images of the heart using sound waves
• Chest X-ray to check for any lung conditions
• Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) to measure how the heart and lungs function during rest and physical activity

About a week before the surgery, patients attend a pre-assessment clinic appointment. This is an opportunity for patients to meet with their treatment team, ask questions and sign a consent form if they are ready.

To help reduce the risk of complications after hepatectomy, the care team may teach patients some simple exercises:

• Breathing exercises can lower the chance of chest infections. Patients who smoke are usually asked to quit at least a few weeks before surgery for better surgical outcomes.
• Leg exercises help prevent blood clots. Patients may also receive blood-thinning injections after surgery and wear compression stockings or calf pumps to promote healthy circulation.

Following the care team’s instructions and preparing ahead of time can help support a smoother recovery and better overall outcome after liver surgery.

What Is the Recovery Process After Liver Resection?

Aside from the number, location and size of tumors present, the outcome of liver resection depends on other factors, such as the patient’s overall health, the type of surgery and whether or not the patient develops complications after surgery. 

Although in some instances liver resection can lead to a cure for liver cancer, it is also possible for liver cancer to recur after surgery. For the best possible outcome, it is crucial to adhere to the prescribed follow-up care, such as: 

• Attending scheduled follow-up appointments 

• Taking prescribed treatments 

• Practicing healthy lifestyle habits 

• Notifying the healthcare provider of any new symptoms or health changes. Sometimes, doctors may order tests to assess potential complications from treatment or check if the cancer has returned or spread.

Find a General Surgeon in El Paso

Healthcare is better together. If you or someone you know is experiencing pain or discomfort that may be related to liver disease, it is crucial to have an experienced and compassionate care team by your side.

Whether you are exploring surgical options or seeking a second opinion, our experienced general surgeons in El Paso offer hepatectomy or minimally invasive liver cancer surgery, with personalized care designed to support your recovery and long-term health.

Let us help you explore your surgical options. Call 915-271-4596 to connect with one of our general surgeons in El Paso today. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room.