[The meaning of hepatic artery ligation in surgery (author's transl)].

On the occasion of a traumatic rupture of the hepatic artery in a 10 year old boy, successfully treated by ligation of the left branch, the meaning of arterial suppression to the liver was studied. Follow-up of 58 cases reported in the literature are reviewed; so is the role of collateral arterial circulation and of portal circulation as compensatory mechanism. A number of provisions tending towards optimal oxygenization of the patient and towards upholding of portal circulation are proposed as treatments against surgical interruption of the hepatic artery.