Liver resection
You have tests before your operation to check:
your fitness for a general anaesthetic
that you'll make a good recovery from surgery
You might have some or all of the following tests:
blood tests to check your general health and how well your liver and kidneys are working
a swab test to rule out some infections
an to check that your heart is healthy
breathing tests (called lung function tests)
an
a chest x-ray to check that your lungs are healthy
a cardio pulmonary exercise test (which checks your heart and lung function when you're resting and exercising)
Before your surgery, you have an appointment at the hospital pre assessment clinic. This prepares you for your operation.
You might meet some members of your treatment team at this appointment. They will ask you questions about your general health. It is important to take a list of any medications you use.
Your doctor and nurses might tell you about the enhanced recovery programme. This is a way of caring before, during and after your surgery to help you recover faster after a big operation. It includes advising you about:
being physically active
eating well before your surgery
stopping smoking and drinking less alcohol if this applies to you
A team of doctors and other healthcare professionals will be involved in your treatment. You will meet them before your surgery.
A member of the surgical team will tell you about:
the operation you are going to have
the benefits of having surgery
the possible risks
what to expect afterwards
Your clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is a qualified nurse who has specialist knowledge of cancers of the bile ducts, liver and pancreas. They help to organise care between doctors and the other health professionals you need to see. They also support you through your treatment, and make sure you have the information you need to understand your cancer and treatment. Your CNS will support you through any treatment you have.
The dietitian gives you help and advice about managing your diet. They:
help you get as well as possible before your operation
explain how the surgery affects your diet
give useful tips on how to increase your nutrients and calories
They might give you nutritional supplement drinks to have before surgery.
The anaesthetist gives you the anaesthetic and they look after you during the operation. The anaesthetic is the medicine that keeps you asleep during your operation. They make sure you’re fit enough for the surgery.
They will check your:
general health
weight
blood pressure
pulse
temperature
They also check what help and support you have to see what you will need when you go home.
The physiotherapist assesses how well you can move around. They let the doctors know if there is anything that could affect your recovery.
The physiotherapist also teaches you leg and breathing exercises to do after your operation to help with recovery. Learning how to do the exercises beforehand makes it easier afterwards.
Breathing exercises help to stop you from getting a chest infection after surgery. If you smoke, it helps if you can stop at least a few weeks before your operation.
Leg exercises help to stop blood clots forming in your legs. You might also have medicines to stop the blood from clotting. You have them as small injections under the skin.
You start the injections after your operation. You might also wear anti embolism stockings or have pumps on your calves to help the circulation.
Your nurse and physiotherapist will get you up out of bed quite quickly after your surgery. This is to help prevent chest infections and blood clots forming.
This 3-minute video shows you how to do the breathing and leg exercises.
You might go into hospital the evening before or the morning of your surgery. Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to stop eating and drinking before your operation.
Take in:
nightgowns or pyjamas
underwear
dressing gown
slippers
contact lenses, solution, glasses and a case
wash bag with soap, a flannel or sponge, toothbrush and toothpaste etc
sanitary wear or tampons
towel
small amount of money
medicines you normally take
magazines, books, playing cards
headphones and music to listen to
a tablet or smartphone for web browsing, entertainment and phone calls
chargers for electronic devices
a copy of your last clinic letter (if you have one)
Before you go into hospital, it might be worth checking:
whether the ward is allowing visitors
if they have set visiting times
the best number for friends and family to phone, to find out how you are
The letter you receive before your operation may contain this information. But if not, you can phone the ward or hospital reception to find out.
You can use your mobile phone in hospital. But there may be some time before and after your operation when you won’t have your mobile nearby. And you may not feel like talking.
It’s worth sorting out a few things before you go into hospital. These might include:
taking time off work
care for children or other loved ones
care for your pets
care for your house
cancelling your milk, newspapers or food deliveries
Find out more about what happens on the day of your operation
Last reviewed: 18 Feb 2025
Next review due: 18 Feb 2028
A liver resection is surgery to remove part of your liver. It is sometimes called a hepatectomy or lobectomy.
You might go into hospital the evening before or the morning of your operation.
After a big operation, you may wake up in the intensive care unit or a high dependency unit. You usually move back to the ward within a day or so.
There is support available to help you cope with a diagnosis of liver cancer, life during treatment and life after cancer.
Secondary liver cancer is when a cancer that started somewhere else in the body has spread to the liver. It is also called liver metastases.
Primary liver cancer is cancer that started in the liver. This section is mainly about the most common type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
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