[Total vascular exclusion of the liver--an advance in hepatic surgery]

The authors present the technique of total vascular exclusion of the liver. The main indication for resection of the liver by this technique are central and dorsal tumours, and it can be used successfully also in cases of risky dissection of the hepatic veins. Thermal ischaemia lasting up to one hour proved safe. Total vascular exclusion is a safe and useful technique in major resections of the liver even in case of infiltration of the hepatic veins and the vena cava inferior.