[Exploration and removal in focal infections of the liver (apropos of 32 resections in a 4-year period].

The surgeon can no longer be satisfied today, with a diagnosis of focal lesion of the liver. It is also necessary to give the precise localisation of the nodular image compared with the segments and vessels of the gland. The lesional topography is usually determined by coeliac arteriography but, in certain cases, complementary cavography becomes necessary. On knowledge of this hepatic angio-cartography, depends the choice of approach and the nature of the surgical operation, for there are easy methods of approach where, for example, removal may reasonably be attempted and, other segments which are difficult or impossible to approach, e.g. segments VIII and IV posteriorly. The authors report their experience of surgery of the liver between 1971 and April 1974 for 14 abscesses, 15 hydatid cysts, 5 tumours and 9 cases of trauma. They carried out 32 resections, 22 of the right lobe of the liver, 10 of the left lobe. The immediate results are studied in relation to the indications and techniques used.