Hepatotomy is a medical term used to describe a surgical procedure involving the incision or cutting of the liver. The word "hepato" refers to the liver, and "tomy" is a suffix that means "surgical incision." Therefore, hepatotomy can be understood as the surgical act of making an incision in the liver.
This procedure is typically performed to treat various liver conditions, such as liver cancer, liver cysts, or to remove liver tumors. It may also be carried out to obtain a liver biopsy, which involves the removal of a small sample of liver tissue for analysis and diagnosis of diseases.
Hepatotomy is often performed under general anesthesia to ensure the patient's comfort and safety during the surgery. Depending on the specific condition or purpose, different techniques, such as open surgery or minimally invasive approaches like laparoscopy, may be used for hepatotomy.
Like any surgical procedure, hepatotomy carries some inherent risks, including bleeding, infection, or damage to nearby structures. However, advancements in surgical techniques and equipment have improved the safety and success rates of hepatotomies, providing patients with better outcomes.
After the hepatotomy, patients usually require close monitoring and postoperative care to ensure proper healing and minimize complications. This may include medications for pain management, antibiotics to prevent infections, and follow-up appointments for evaluation and further treatment, if necessary.
