[Ex situ resection and resection of the in situ perfused liver: are there still indications?].

Most liver tumors can be removed with conventional resection techniques employing partial or total vascular occlusion when needed. Duration of tolerable warm ischemia has not yet been defined, but it seems to be well tolerated up to 60 min. In a few cases with extended vascular resection and reconstruction liver protection by hypothermic perfusion is advantageous. This can be achieved by in situ perfusion, ante situm resection or ex situ resection. Major reconstruction of hepatic vessels with good technical access should be performed under in situ hypothermic protection using veno-venous bypass. Tumors involving the hepatic venous confluence and/or retrohepatic vena cava should be approached by either the in situ, or preferentially, the ante situm resection technique. The indication for an ex situ liver resection resulting in autotransplantation of the remnant liver exists only in rare cases for oncological reasons.