[Choice of operative technic in the treatment of liver diseases].

Between 1974 and 1979 resection of the liver was carried out for malign or benign tumors in 42 patients. Lobectomy was performed in 17 and hemihepatectomy in 25 cases (11 times right-sided, 14 times left-sided). Hemihepatectomy with preliminary ligation of the vessels showed a lower rate of complication than the time-saving lobectomy. Mortality rate was 0% in left-sided hepatectomy, 12% in lobectomy, and 27% in right-sided hepatectomy. The cause of death was liver failure in three cases of hepatectomy because of preexisting damage of the remaining lobe showing no compensatory hypertrophy. In accordance with the literature, we conclude that right-sided hepatectomy can be performed only if hypertrophy of the left lobe is present.