Hepatectomy doctors in India

What Is Hepatectomy (Liver Resection)?

Hepatectomy, also called liver resection, is a surgical procedure in which a portion of the liver is removed. It is performed to treat liver diseases such as tumors, infections, injuries, or severe liver damage. The liver has a unique ability to regenerate, which means the remaining healthy part can grow back and continue normal functions.

This procedure may involve removing a small segment, a lobe, or in rare cases, a large portion of the liver depending on the condition being treated. Hepatectomy is considered a major surgery and is performed by experienced surgical specialists in a hospital setting.

Purpose & Benefits of Hepatectomy

Key purposes

• Removal of cancerous or non-cancerous liver tumors

• Treatment of severe liver injury or damage

• Management of chronic liver disease not responding to medication

• Removal of infected or dead liver tissue

Benefits

Hepatectomy can be lifesaving when serious liver conditions are present. By removing diseased tissue, it helps prevent the spread of cancer or infection and improves overall liver function. Because the liver can regenerate, many patients recover with good long-term outcomes when the procedure is performed at the right time.

Who May Benefit from Hepatectomy?

People who may be advised this surgery include:

• Patients with liver cancer confined to a specific area

• Individuals with benign liver tumors causing symptoms

• Patients with liver trauma or injury

• People with localized infections or abscesses

• Selected liver donors for transplant procedures

A doctor evaluates liver function, overall health, and disease stage before recommending surgery.

Types of Hepatectomy Procedures

Hepatectomy can vary depending on how much of the liver is removed:

• Partial hepatectomy – removal of a small portion of the liver

• Lobectomy – removal of an entire lobe of the liver

• Extended hepatectomy – removal of a larger section involving multiple segments

• Segmentectomy – removal of a specific liver segment

The choice depends on the disease location and the amount of healthy liver remaining.

Hepatectomy Treatment Process

The procedure typically involves the following steps:

1. Pre-operative evaluation – blood tests, imaging, and liver function assessment.

2. General anesthesia – the patient is put to sleep for surgery.

3. Surgical removal – the surgeon separates blood vessels and bile ducts and removes the affected liver portion.

4. Reconnection and closure – vessels and ducts are reconnected, and the incision is closed.

Patients are closely monitored during recovery to ensure proper liver function.

Duration & Therapy Setting

• Surgery duration: typically, 1–5 hours depending on complexity.

• Hospital stays usually several days for monitoring and recovery.

• Full recovery: may take several weeks depending on health and extent of surgery.

Safety, Precautions & Contraindications

Safety considerations

Hepatectomy is generally safe when performed by experienced surgeons, but as a major surgery it carries risks such as infection, bleeding, or bile leakage.

Precautions

• Careful evaluation of liver function is required

• Patients must follow pre-surgery fasting and medication guidelines

• Post-surgery monitoring is essential

Contraindications

This procedure may not be suitable for patients with:

• Severe liver failure

• Poor overall health

• Widespread cancer affecting multiple organs

Hepatectomy vs Liver Transplant

• Hepatectomy removes only the diseased part of the liver.

• Liver transplant replaces the entire liver when damage is widespread.

Hepatectomy is preferred when disease is localized and enough healthy liver remains.