Liver Resection
At North Orlando Surgical Group, we are proud to have established a unique surgical practice characterized by superior skills and extraordinary services both to the patient we care for as well as their referring physicians. We are recognized in Central Florida for our ability to perform complex procedures in the least invasive way. Our attentive staff is focused on providing the highest level of personal services and are committed to making every patient’s surgical experience as comfortable and convenient as it can be.
The liver is a large vital organ in the right upper abdomen. Beside the skin it is the only organ in the body that can regenerate itself if there is healthy tissue present. In the case of severe cirrhosis, or scar tissue it cannot. The liver produces bile to aid in digestion of fat, and also acts as a filter for the blood. A liver resection is an open abdominal surgery that is done to remove a portion of the liver. This is usually done to remove a malignant lesion. Because the liver is able to regenerate itself it will usually regrow the portion of liver that is removed. In patients with cirrhosis of the liver this is not the case. In these patients it is important that the surgeon only remove what is necessary and leave behind as much liver as possible to avoid liver failure. Bleeding is always risk of surgery, especially in patients with existing liver disease, as one of the liver’s functions is to help with blood clotting.
When a patient has been diagnosed with liver cancer the first course of treatment is usually a liver resection. You can expect that you will be placed under general anesthesia. An incision will be made in your right upper quadrant to allow your surgeon to remove the portion of the liver that is affected. When the surgery is completed the incision will most likely be closed using staples which will need to be removed about two weeks after surgery. Medication will be given to control your pain, and you will be encouraged to get up and walk as soon as possible, both to keep your strength and to prevent the formation of blood clots in the legs or lungs. You will stay at the hospital for a couple of days while you recuperate.
It is recommended that you have completely healed from surgery before going on to any additional treatment, such as chemotherapy. Generally you will need to wait six weeks from surgery before having chemotherapy. Your oncologist and surgeon will work closely together to ensure a treatment plan is in place. If you have not already seen an oncologist our staff will schedule an appointment for you to be seen.
A liver resection is a procedure that does carry risk, but these risks are far less in the hands of a skilled surgeon. The surgeons at North Orlando Surgical Group are very experienced at all types of abdominal surgery, including liver resections. We have the experience, caring and skills needed to get you safely through your surgery and back to your family. Your care is important to us!