04/23/2022
Hepatectomy
Hepatectomy is a surgical resection (removal) of portions of the liver.
A liver surgeon is able to remove sections of the liver, up to two-thirds. A transplant surgeon would remove all the liver and replace it with a new liver.
This surgery is performed for different reasons, which include:
-Primary liver cancer (Hepatocellular carcinoma or cholangiocarcinoma)
-Cancers that spread to the liver (such as gallbladder cancer, colon or re**al cancers)
-Symptomatic liver cysts, hemangiomas, or adenomas
-Benign liver tumors or lesions
This surgery can be completed:
-robotically
-laparoscopically
-through an incision
This surgery can either be performed as outpatient or inpatient (require a hospital stay). The reason a person would have to stay overnight in the hospital is due to the amount of liver being removed.
If a patient is in the hospital, the stay can range from 1 to 5 days.
At the time of surgery, a surgical drain can be placed. This is either removed prior to leaving the hospital or remain in place when discharged. If a patient has to go home with a drain, teaching will occur between the family and patient and the nursing staff.
Recovery time takes roughly 3 to 5 weeks. After that time, patients are able to slowly return to normal activity.
All patients are in by the surgeon roughly 2 weeks after surgery.
Depending the reason for the surgery, there will either be:
-No other follow up
-Frequent CT scans or MRIs
-Lab work
The decision for follow up will be determined by the surgeon and discussed with the patient.
