Left lateral hepatectomy

A left lateral hepatectomy is a type of Liver Resection involving the outer left part of the liver. It is more limited than removing the whole left side, although the exact boundaries depend on the lesion and individual anatomy. Scans help the team plan around vessels and bile ducts. Under general anaesthesia, the surgeon frees the planned segments, controls their blood supply and bile drainage, removes them, and sends the tissue for examination. The approach may be open or minimally invasive.

Before admission, follow fasting directions and check every medicine with the surgical team, especially blood thinners and supplements. Organise transport and help with meals, shopping, and stairs during early recovery. In hospital, you may receive pain relief, fluids, clot prevention, breathing support, and help walking. Eat and drink as advised, protect the incision, and increase activity in stages. This operation may be considered for Bowel Cancer, Liver Cancer, or Liver Metastases. Tumour Ablation can be discussed when a different local treatment is appropriate.

Report a temperature, increasing abdominal tenderness, persistent nausea, wound redness, fluid leakage, dark urine, pale stools, or worsening yellow skin or eyes. Go to emergency care for severe shortness of breath, fainting, heavy bleeding, sudden chest pain, or marked confusion. Give the team a clear list of symptoms and the time they started.

Ask which segments will be removed, how the operation will be performed, and how the remaining liver has been assessed. Clarify drains, pain relief, nutrition, activity restrictions, pathology timing, follow-up imaging, and the plan if the findings differ from expectations.