Certain peculiarities of the postoperative recovery of liver followed up with the aid of scintigraphy

Liver recovery in 43 patients subjected to surgery for hepatic echinococcus cyst was followed by scintiscanning using radioactive gold (200-300 microcuries) or technetium sulfocolloid (2-3 microcuries). Account was taken of postsurgery changes in liver disposition, shape, size and structure. In an overwhelming majority of cases (84%), the first to recover was structure of the organ; and the last, its shape. A relation was ascertained between extent of hepatic recovery and number of interventions, age of the patient, and time after surgery. (A.B.)