Impaired Liver Function

Hepatic dysfunction is a multisystem disorder, for the liver is an organ whose proper functioning is vital for the function of the whole body. The functional reserve capacity of the liver is enormous. If only 10% of normal liver tissue is left after a major partial hepatic resection in humans, this is sufficient to sustain life, in addition to which full regeneration of the liver mass occurs after four months [1]. However despite this massive functional reserve, surgery performed on patients with severe liver disease is associated with a high mortality [see chapter 10.1].