ABOUT LIVER RESECTION
Liver resection, also referred to as a hepatectomy, is a surgical procedure performed to remove a section of the liver, usually to remove a tumor. The liver is located on the right side of the body beneath the diaphragm and is protected by the rib cage. It functions to filter blood in the body, to produce protein, and break down chemicals.
The liver can be partially removed if a benign or cancerous tumor is detected. The body can still function with part of the liver removed and will regenerate after its removal. The procedure may also be performed on a liver donor who chooses to donate part of their liver to a patient who needs a liver transplant.
The section of liver that is removed will depend on what area of the liver has a tumor. The liver is divided into sections known as the right lobe and the left lobe. If the tumor is located on the right side of the liver, then a liver resection referred to as right hemi-hepatectomy is performed and if located on the left side, then a left hemi-hepatectomy is performed.
The tumor can be detected by taking a chest X-ray and in some cases if the tumor is large, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan, or a CT (computerized tomography) scan may be needed. If the tumor is large, chemotherapy may be used to shrink the tumor before considering a liver resection as an option. The surgery involves removing the tumor as well as the surrounding tissue and is performed under a general anesthetic.
Recommended for
- Benign liver tumors
- Liver cancer
TIME REQUIREMENTS
- Number of days in hospital: 5 – 7 days.
The number of days spent in hospital will depend on how well the patient recovers from the surgery.
- Average length of stay abroad: 10 – 14 days.
- Number of trips abroad needed: 1.
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BEFORE LIVER RESECTION ABROAD
Before undergoing the surgery, the patient will meet with the doctor who will explain the surgery in depth, answer any questions or concerns that the patient may, and may run some tests if necessary. The doctor may order a chest X-ray, MRI, or a CT scan to help determine which area of the liver is cancerous and how far the tumor has spread.
Patients are usually advised to refrain from eating and drinking in the hours preceding the surgery, in order to prepare for the general anesthetic.
HOW IS IT PERFORMED
Once the patient has been administered with a general anesthetic and the catheter has been put into place, the surgeon will then begin the surgery by making an incision below the ribcage on the right side of the abdomen.
An ultrasound device may be used to detect the location of the tumor. The surgeon will then remove the tumor and surrounding tissue. Once removed, the surgeon will then close the incision site with sutures.
The surgery can also be performed laparoscopically, which is a less invasive method of surgery. The surgery is performed by making a number of smaller incisions below the ribcage on the right side of the abdomen and inserting a laparoscope, which is fitted with a camera and light, through the incision and attaching surgical instruments to remove the tumor with. Once the tumor is removed, the laparoscope and instruments are removed and the incisions are closed with sutures.
A portion of the liver is removed in cases where the tumor is at most around 5cm in size. In some cases, once the surgeon has accessed the liver and finds that the tumor has spread and is larger than anticipated, then the liver is usually not removed and the incision site is closed. The patient is then referred to an oncologist and may need to undergo chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgical removal is reconsidered as an option.
Anesthesia
General Anesthetic.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER LIVER RESECTION
Post procedure care
After the surgery, the patient will be take to the ICU (intensive care unit) where they will be closely monitored for the first 24 to 48 hours after the surgery. As the patient begins to recover after the the surgery, the various types of tubes such as a catheter to drain urine, are removed from the patient.
Patients should avoid strenuous activity and consuming alcohol in the weeks proceeding the surgery.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT LIVER RESECTION
Potential risks
- Chest infection
- Bleeding
- Bile leak
- Jaundice
- Liver failure (in rare cases)
