[Future perspectives in liver surgery]

Resection of colorectal liver metastases will increase due to increased life expectancy and widened indications. Complex combinations of chemotherapy, surgery, and local ablation are used in advanced disease. Advances in laparoscopic and telerobotic liver resection are expected. Hepatocellular carcinoma is rare, results are poor, and better treatment is needed. The complex management of liver neoplasms requires a centralized effort. Further advances in xenotransplantation, artificial liver, and stem cell technology may influence liver transplantation as well as cancer surgery.