What is liver surgery?
Liver surgery, or hepatic surgery, refers to any procedure performed on the liver. It may involve:
- Liver resection (hepatectomy): removal of a portion of the liver affected by tumours, infection or other conditions.
- Liver transplant: replacement of a diseased liver with a healthy donor liver.
These procedures treat liver cancer, benign liver tumours, cysts, trauma and liver failure.
When is liver surgery needed?
- Liver cancer: both primary cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma and metastases that have spread to the liver.
- Benign liver tumours such as adenomas or large haemangiomas, mainly when they cause symptoms.
- Liver cysts that are large, infected, or causing significant discomfort.
- Trauma in cases of severe liver injury.
- End-stage liver disease: cirrhosis or liver failure requiring transplant.
How is liver surgery performed?
- Open surgery: a traditional approach through a large incision.
- Minimally invasive surgery: laparoscopic or robotic, using smaller incisions and specialised instruments, with faster recovery and less pain in suitable cases.
The choice depends on the patient's condition, the complexity of the operation and the surgeon's expertise.
How do surgeons decide how much liver to remove?
The liver is divided into eight segments, each with its own blood supply and bile drainage. Surgeons plan the procedure on CT, MRI or ultrasound to determine which segments must go while ensuring enough healthy liver remains.
Because the liver regenerates, even a large resection can be tolerated — the remaining liver regrows to compensate. Volumetry, not guesswork, decides where the line is drawn.
What is the recovery process?
- Hospital stay: most patients stay 5–10 days after major liver surgery.
- Pain management: controlled with medication; discomfort typically improves within a few weeks.
- Activity: light activity can resume after 2–3 weeks; avoid heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks.
- Follow-up: regular check-ups and imaging to monitor recovery and liver function.
Full recovery may take 6–8 weeks or longer depending on the procedure.
What are the risks?
- Bleeding: the liver has a rich blood supply.
- Infection, at the surgical site or within the abdomen.
- Bile leakage from the bile ducts, which may need further treatment.
- Liver failure: rare, but possible where underlying function is poor.
- Blood clots from post-operative immobility.
What lifestyle changes are needed afterwards?
- Healthy diet: balanced, rich in fruit, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains; limit fat and sugar.
- Avoid alcohol: it harms the liver and impairs healing.
- Regular exercise to maintain weight and general health.
- Manage underlying conditions such as diabetes, obesity or hepatitis.
- Regular follow-up to monitor liver function and detect recurrence.
What if surgery is not possible?
- Ablation: radiofrequency or microwave energy to destroy tumours.
- Embolisation: blocking blood flow to the tumour to shrink it.
- Targeted therapy and immunotherapy to slow growth or boost immune response.
- Observation: small benign lesions may need only monitoring.
More on the liver
Related conditions handled by the same team.
This page is general information about a condition we treat. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace an in-person consultation. Bring your reports — they change the answer more than the symptoms do.