AIM:To minimize the complications and mortality and improve the survival in primary liver cancer (PLC) patients undergoing hepatic resection. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 2143 PLC patients treated from January 1990 to January 2004. The patients were divided into two groups using January 1997 as a cut-off. Small tumor size (< 5 cm), preoperative redox tolerance index (RTI), vascular control method, and postoperative arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR) were used as indicators of surgical outcome. RESULTS: Small tumors had less complications and lower mortality and higher overall survival rate. Use of RTI for selecting patients and types of hepatectomy, reduced complications (21.1% vs 11.0%) and mortality (1.6% vs 0.3%). The half liver vascular occlusion protocol (n = 523) versus the Pringle method (n = 476) showed that the former significantly reduced the postoperative complications (25.8% vs 11.9%) and mortality (2.3% vs 0.6%) respectively, and cut mean hospital stay was 3.5 d. Postoperative AKBR was a reliable indicator of the energy status in survivors. CONCLUSION: RTI is of value in predicting hepatic functional reserve, half liver occlusion could protect the residual liver function, and AKBR measurement is a simple and accurate means of assessing the state of postoperative metabolism. Optimal perioperative management is an important factor for minimizing complications and mortality in patients undergoing hepatic resection. AIM: To minimize the complications and mortality and improve the survival in primary liver cancer (PLC) patients undergoing hepatic resection. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 2143 PLC patients treated from January 1990 to January 2004. The patients were divided into two groups using January 1997 as a cut-off. Small tumor size (<5 cm), preoperative redox tolerance index (RTI), vascular control method, and postoperative arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR) were used as indicators of surgical outcome. Patients with less complications and lower mortality and higher overall survival rate. Use of RTI for selecting patients and types of hepatectomy, reduced complications (21.1% vs 11.0%) and mortality (1.6% vs 0.3%). The half liver vascular occlusion protocol n = 523) versus the Pringle method (n = 476) showed that the former significantly reduced the postoperative complications (25.8% vs 11.9%) and mortality (2.3% vs 0.6%) respectively was 3.5 d. Postoperative AKBR was a reliable indicator of the energy status in survivors. CONCLUSION: RTI is of value in predicting hepatic functional reserve, half liver occlusion could protect the residual liver function, and AKBR measurement is a simple and accurate means of assessing the state of postoperative metabolism. Optimal perioperative management is an important factor for minimizing complications and mortality in patients undergoing hepatic resection.