One hundred and five hepatic resection were performed from 1984 to 1994. Six of these patients complicated with subphrenic infection after hepatectomy, of whom two patients died of liver failure. Subphrenic dropsy occureeed in nine cases. Subphrenic infection is easy to occur in: right or extend lobectomy, massive blood loss at operation, and in postoperative bleeding which subjects to laparotomy for lemostasis. Seecure hemostasis, avoidence of hepatic tissue devitalization during operation and effective subphenic drainage aree essential to reduce the incidencee of subphrenic infection, and routine bacterial culture of subphrenic drainage fluid will help to select propre antibiotic.
