Hepatocyte regeneration refers to the ability of the liver to compensate for damage to liver cells or after partial resection of the liver by slowly regenerating new liver cells to replace the missing ones.
Hepatocyte regeneration is relatively strong, after hepatocyte injury or partial resection of the liver, hepatocytes can replicate and regenerate within a short period of time. Usually when half of the liver is removed, it can grow substantially in a few weeks and return to its original weight in three months. In completely normal patients, theoretically 80% of the resected liver can still regenerate.
For acute liver resections with impaired liver function but no cirrhosis, liver cells can still regenerate after resection of about 70%. For resections with cirrhosis, where the regenerative capacity of hepatocytes is relatively weaker, about 60% of the liver is resected and also has regenerative capacity, but there is a risk of liver failure.
Because of the regenerative capacity of hepatocytes, clinically, it is necessary to carry out hepatectomy patients, can follow the doctor’s instructions for half liver or partial hepatic lobectomy, patients do not need to have too much psychological burden.