Left hepatectomy

Left hepatectomy is one of the most common types of hepatectomy. In order to perform the procedure, surgeons need to possess all the basic skills for accomplishing any liver resection. The most important points to bear in mind in relation to left hepatectomy are: (1) a precise recognition of the surgical anatomy of the vascular structures of the liver, especially the bile duct, because of the wide anatomic variations; (2) recognition that the procedure consists of the following three parts: hilar dissection, mobilization of the left liver, and liver resection; (3) an understanding that these steps need to be accomplished with great care to control bleeding and to avoid injury to the vessels supplying the right hemiliver.