After an operation, it is common to feel some pain, but this can be controlled. Medicine may be given through an injection close to the spine (epidural) or through a patient- controlled analgesia (PCA) system.

How long does a hepatectomy take?

After the patient is put to sleep with general anesthesia, anywhere from three to seven small incisions are made to remove the liver mass. Depending on the number and locations of the lesions, and how much liver needs to be removed, the procedure can take anywhere from one to seven hours.

What organ is removed in a hepatectomy?

Partial hepatectomy is surgery to remove part of the liver. Only people with good liver function who are healthy enough for surgery and who have a single tumor that has not grown into blood vessels can have this operation.