[How much liver resection is too much?]

Because the liver has a remarkable ability to regenerate, extensive resections are possible. Most liver centres recommend that the remnant liver after resection in a non-cirrhotic liver constitutes at least 30% of the normal liver mass. Too extensive resection carries a risk of the small-for-size syndrome with coagulapathy, jaundice, multi-organ failure and high mortality. Resection in a liver with established cirrhosis is more difficult because the ability to regenerate is lost and function is reduced. Portal hypertension is considered a contraindication to resection.