The Chronic Liver in Surgery

Portal hypertension and ascites are commonly
caused by chronic conditions of the liver. Secondary
tumours of the liver are more common than primary
tumours in the UK, although primary tumours are the
most common worldwide. The main operation for the
spleen is splenectomy, which is either performed electively
for lymphoma or blood disorders or as an emergency,
when the spleen ruptures following blunt trauma
to the abdomen. Patients should be counselled about
complications of infection and can be started on long-term
prophylactic antibiotics.