OBJECTIVE The authors analyze the indications and results in 75 consecutive liver resections. BACKGROUND In recent years, the morbidity and mortality of this procedure have been reduced at specialized centers due to better control of intraoperative bleeding and improved perioperative management. METHODS The clinical records of 72 patients who had a liver resection over a 4-year period were reviewed. RESULTS Fifty-two were females and 23, males. Ages ranged between 15 and 88 years (X: 50 +/- 22 years). The indications for surgery were liver, secondary in 28, gallbladder or bile duct cancer in 17, benign liver tumors in 16, and primary malignant liver tumors in 14. Forty-seven major liver resections were performed and included 25 right hepatectomies, 13 left hepatectomies, five right trisegmentectomies, and four left trisegmentectomies. Additionally, 28 minor resections included 12 resections of the left lateral segment, nine bisegmentectomies, five segmentectomies and two resections of the caudate lobe. Operative time ranged from 60-540 min (X: 260 +/- 97 min); the mean operative bleeding was 1439 +/- 660 mL (range 20-5,000 mL). The pringle maneuver was used in 63 patients and ranged from 20-100 min (X: 42 +/- 25 min). Twenty-five patients presented complications (33%), the most frequent being hepatic failure, postoperative bleeding, ascitis and bilomas. Six patients died (8%) due to hepatic and multiorganic failure in four pneumonia and myocardial infarct in one, and systemic sepsis in the other. CONCLUSIONS Liver resection is an excellent therapeutic alternative in patients with benign and malignant liver focal lesions.