Hepatic resection.

In the four years between the beginning of 1979 and the end of 1982, 23 hepatic resections have been carried out for tumours, trauma, biliary access, cystic disease of the liver and spontaneous rupture. There have been four deaths amongst these 23 patients. The 23 resections were performed on 68 patients referred for possible surgery on their hepatic lesions. Right-sided hepatic resections and resections carried out under emergency circumstances were found to carry a significantly higher risk than all other resections. Of the various organ imaging methods available for assessment of hepatic tumours, CT scanning seems to be the most powerful. Liver surgery is probably best done in a limited number of units prepared to implement appropriate protocols of investigation and surgical management.