Terminology for definition of liver anatomy and resections: it is essential to use Brisbane 2000 system in Lithuania

Background / objective Translation of the universal Brisbane 2000 terminology of liver anatomy and resections into Lithuanian and Latin languages and pointing out how the translated versions correspond to specific attributes for the terminology. Material Terminology of Liver Anatomy and Resections by Terminology Committee of the IHPBA, Brisbane 2000, Australia. Results The IHPBA Brisbane 2000 terminology of liver anatomy and resections is introduced in the Lithuanian language. The terminology of this nomenclature was translated into and introduced in the Latin language, too. The term hemiliver has no logistic explanation and translation because the right hemiliver and the left hemiliver are not equal in volume. The following terms were translated with difficulty into Lithuanian: hemiliver, right liver, left liver, section, sectionectomy, trisectionectomy. In fact, they are not translatable directly word by word in this national language. The term hemiliver, is not translated into Latin at all. The use of word lobe instead of word hemiliver (in addition, instead of right liver and left liver) can be discussed further. The meaning of the term section still remains controversial in Latin. Nevertheless, it could be acceptable. The term sector is more suitable than the term section both in Lithuanian and in Latin. Professor of Vilnius university (Lithuania) Juozas Serapinas defined 9 hepatic segments and described them in scientific literature in the period of his research in 1961–1972. Conclusions The term lobe (by midplane of the liver) is more suitable in the nomenclature of hepatic anatomy and resections than the terms hemiliver or liver. The terms of Brisbane 2000 system are still controversial regarding attributes for the terminology (translatability and others). Not English but Latin, which still remains a traditional academic medical language, might be the basic language for constructing anatomical and surgical terms for the nomenclature of liver anatomy and resections. If so, terms have to be constructed in Latin and translated from Latin into English and other national languages. The contribution of J. Serapinas to the history of development of the 9-segment structure of the human liver should be re-evaluated