Segments 4, 7, and 8 liver resection: A case report.

Area of Science:

• Hepatobiliary Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Liver Transplantation

Background:

• Right superior liver resections, particularly involving segments 4, 7, and 8, are infrequently documented.
• Standard practice for resecting the right hepatic vein mandates venous reconstruction or identifying right inferior hepatic veins to preserve segmentary function.

Observation:

• A case of liver resection involving segments 4, 7, and 8, including the right and middle hepatic veins, was performed for benign liver disease.
• The procedure was completed without right hepatic vein reconstruction or identification of prominent right inferior hepatic veins.

Findings:

• Post-resection liver function tests remained stable, with an unremarkable initial recovery.
• Three months post-surgery, partial atrophy of segments 5 and 6 and hypertrophy of the left lateral section were noted.
• The patient remained asymptomatic two and a half years after the resection.

Implications:

• This approach may be safe and effective when right hepatic vein reconstruction is complex or adds significant operative time.
• It offers a viable alternative in select cases, potentially avoiding unnecessary operative delays.
• The observed compensatory hypertrophy suggests adequate short-term liver mass regeneration for uneventful recovery.