Ann Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg.  2024 Aug;28(3):271-282. 10.14701/ahbps.24-039.

Turning points in the practice of liver surgery: A historical review

• Tebala GD
• Avenia S
• Cirocchi R
• Delvecchio A
• Desiderio J
• Nardo DD
• Duro F
• Gemini A
• Giuliante F
• Memeo R
• Nuzzo G

• KMID: 2558663
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14701/ahbps.24-039

Abstract

The history of liver surgery is a tale of progressive resolution of issues presenting one after another from ancient times to the present days when dealing with liver ailments. The perfect knowledge of human liver anatomy and physiology and the development of a proper liver resective surgery require time and huge efforts and, mostly, the study and research of giants of their own times, whose names are forever associated with anatomical landmarks, thorough descriptions, and surgical approaches. The control of parenchymal bleeding after trauma and during resection is the second issue that surgeons have to resolve. A good knowledge of intra and extrahepatic vascular anatomy is a necessary condition to develop techniques of vascular control, paving the way to liver transplantation. Last but not least, the issue of residual liver function after resection requires advanced techniques of volume redistribution through redirection of blood inflow. These are the same problems any young surgeon would face when approaching liver surgery for the first time. Therefore, obtaining a wide picture of historical evolution of liver surgery could be a great starting point to serve as an example and a guide.

Keyword

Hepatectomy; Liver diseases; Liver regeneration; Liver insufficiency; Anatomy

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Prometheus Bound. Oil on canvas. Begun c. 1611–1612, completed by 1618. Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish [active Italy, Antwerp, and England], 1577–1640), and Frans Snyders (Flemish [active Antwerp], 1579–1657). Philadelphia Museum of Art: Purchased with the W. P. Wilstach Fund, 1950, W1950-3-1. Photo by Alberto Otero Herranz, courtesy of the Prado Museum, 2015. Reproduced by permission.

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  Fig. 2 Etruscan “Liver of Piacenza,” Museo Farnese, Piacenza (Italy).

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  Fig. 3 Francis Glisson by William Faithorne line engraving, published 1672. National Portrait Gallery, London. Reproduced by permission.

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  Fig. 4 The first page of Carl Langenbuch’s report of his first cholecystectomy. Adapted from the article of Langenbuch. Berliner klinische Wohenschrift 1882;48:725-727 [18].

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  Fig. 5 William Keen. Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 90-105, Science Service Records, Image No. SIA2008-4586. Reproduced by permission.

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  Fig. 6 James Cantlie by Walter Stoneman bromide print, 1918. National Portrait Gallery, London. Reproduced by permission.

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  Fig. 7 Robert Lawson Tait by Elliott & Fry half-plate glass negative. National Portrait Gallery, London. Reproduced by permission.

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  Fig. 8 James Hogarth Pringle. Adapted from the article of Obituary. Br Med J 1941;1:734 [51] with original copyright holder’s permission.

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