Can parts of the liver grow back after removal?

  Strictly speaking, after partial hepatectomy, the removed part of the liver cannot grow back after it is broken like a gecko’s tail. However, the preserved liver tissue will replace the function of this part of the liver, and the liver has a strong regenerative capacity, and the liver can regenerate and enlarge in a compensatory manner.  After partial hepatectomy, the liver is able to maintain its normal physiological function after a period of recovery because of its strong regenerative and compensatory capacity after partial hepatectomy. This and thanks to the remaining liver tissue grows again to meet the body’s needs for liver function.  The shape of the liver does not change after removal. As a simple example, if the left lobe of the liver is removed because of disease, the left lobe of the liver will not grow back. However, after a period of recovery, the weight of the liver, however, will become similar to what it was before. Therefore, the remaining liver tissue will be regenerated to meet the liver function needed for growth and development according to the body’s needs. The liver transplantation team of Beijing Friendship Hospital carries out parental liver transplantation, which is to transplant part of the parent’s liver to the affected child. Through the doctor’s assessment of liver function and volume, part of the donor’s liver is removed, and after a period of recovery, the volume of the donor’s liver will increase in varying degrees to meet the organism’s needs. Meanwhile, liver transplant recipients, especially in children, will regenerate their livers accordingly to meet the body’s needs as the child grows up.  After partial resection of the liver, the remaining liver tissue is compensated and regenerated to meet the needs of the body liver function can still restore its physiological function.