After Liver Resection: What is the Expected Life Span?

The Importance of the Liver

The liver is a vital organ that plays a crucial role in the body’s functions, including blood volume regulation, immune system support, macronutrient metabolism, and lipid and cholesterol homeostasis. It also produces bile, which helps break down fats in the digestive tract.

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What is Liver Resection?

Liver resection, or hepatectomy, is a surgical operation to remove part of the liver. The remaining liver will regenerate to replace the removed part. The surgery may take several hours, and you will need preoperative evaluation and may require adjunct operations like preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) to ensure your liver can regenerate sufficiently.

Why is Liver Resection Performed?

Liver cancer is the main reason for liver resection, as it removes the part of the liver where the cancer is growing. Other causes of liver disease that may require hepatectomy include benign conditions, hemorrhage associated with trauma, primary intrahepatic lithiasis (PIL), echinococcosis (hydatid disease), hemangiomas, simple cysts, focal nodular hyperplasia, bacterial hepatic abscesses, and amebic liver abscesses.

Types of Liver Resection

There are different types of liver resection depending on the location of the lesion(s), hepatic remnant capability to regenerate, and tumor-negative margin if appropriate. Types of resection include anatomic resection, nonanatomic resection, segmental resection, hepatectomy (left or right), extended hepatectomy (left or right), and wedge resection.

Life Expectancy After Liver Resection

Five-year survival rates following liver resection are around 50–70% for those with HCC without cirrhosis. Perioperative mortality is about 1–3% in high volume centers. Both morbidity and mortality rates are improving thanks to advances in medicine.

Life After Liver Resection Surgery

Recovery time after liver resection surgery varies depending on the complexity of the operation. You may be discharged from the hospital in four to six days for minor or uncomplicated major hepatic resections. You could need around six to eight weeks to recover before resuming regular activities. Walking daily, drinking plenty of fluids, eating regular, healthy meals, and avoiding strenuous activities like running, biking, and heavy lifting can speed up recovery.

Difference Between Laparoscopic/Robotic and Open Hepatectomy

In a laparoscopic (keyhole) hepatectomy, the operation occurs through a small keyhole while your surgeon looks at images through a screen. Open surgery is generally used for more complex procedures, where your abdomen is opened via one long incision, allowing surgeons to visualize your abdomen directly.

The Lowdown

Liver resection is a major operation that may be required for liver cancer or other diseases of the liver. The liver can regenerate its own tissue following surgery, and you can expect to have a relatively good quality of life following surgery. Improvements in medicine and healthcare mean that your chances of survival and recovery without complications are improving. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about liver resection and how to improve your chances of recovery and take care of your overall health.