Objective: To evaluate hepatic resections in patient with benign and malignant lesions during the years 1997 to 2002 at the Autonomous University Hospital Service of Maracaibo, Venezuela.
Materials: We carried out 18 hepatic resections for benign and/or malignant lesions; traumatic and infectious lesions were excluded.
Results: The female sex prevailed with 77.7% and age ranged between third and fourth decade. Three asymptomatic patients (16.6%) and 83.3% symptomatic; pain in upper hemiabdomen 80%. Ultrasonography was employed in 94.4% of cases, CT 83.3%, FNAB 27.7%, arteriography 22.2%, Echo-Doppler 16.6%, laparoscopy 11.1%, hepatic scintigraphy and ERCP, 5.5%. Minor resections represented 61.1%. Major hepatic resections represented 38.8%, with prevalence of left hepatectomy (33.3%). Blood loss was greatest in major hepatic resections with average of 1,242.9 +/- 827.8 ml. Pringles maneuver was carried out in 90% with duration average of 8.5 min; morbidity was 16.6%. Benign tumours prevailed with 66.6%.
Conclusion: The technique of resection with intraparenchymatous identification of pedicles makes it the most successful technique for hepatic resections.