Major liver surgery is associated with increased incidence of perioperative complications and increased mortality if these are not addressed quickly in a high dependency intensive care unit. Of these, posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) represents one of the most important cause of postoperative unfavourable outcome. The present study investigates the correlation between lactate levels and PHLF. Lactate levels were collected at six specific timepoints: preoperative, pre-dissection phase, post-dissection phase, end of surgery and 24-hours and 48-hours in the postoperative period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients undergoing major liver surgery for primary or secondary tumours

Exclusion Criteria:

• unsigned patient consent
• death within 24 hours
• need for perioperative renal replacement therapy
• underlying liver disease (e.g. liver cirrhosis)
• other causes of raised lactate levels (e.g. shock)

all patients undergoing major liver failure in our institution