Turning points in the practice of liver surgery: A historical review

The history of liver surgery is a tale of progressive resolution of issues presenting one after another from ancient times to the present days when dealing with liver ailments. The perfect knowledge of human liver anatomy and physiology and the development of a proper liver resective surgery require time and huge efforts and, mostly, the study and research of giants of their own times, whose names are forever associated with anatomical landmarks, thorough descriptions, and surgical approaches. The control of parenchymal bleeding after trauma and during resection is the second issue that surgeons have to resolve. A good knowledge of intra and extrahepatic vascular anatomy is a necessary condition to develop techniques of vascular control, paving the way to liver transplantation. Last but not least, the issue of residual liver function after resection requires advanced techniques of volume redistribution through redirection of blood inflow. These are the same problems any young surgeon would face when approaching liver surgery for the first time. Therefore, obtaining a wide picture of historical evolution of liver surgery could be a great starting point to serve as an example and a guide.