ABSTRACT
Liver surgery such as hepatectomy and liver transplantation are curative treatment options for selected hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients. The concept of salvage liver transplantation(SLT) was proposed,due to the shortage of liver donors. In the case of donor liver shortage,HCC patients underwent liver resection first and liver transplantation after tumor recurrence or deteriorating liver function. The timing,criteria,efficacy and influencing factors of SLT operation are still improving and developing in overworld transplantation centers. Primary liver transplantation was the first choice for the HCC patients with portal hypertension,severe cirrhosis and poor liver function reserve. Primary hepatectomy should be performed for HCC patients with good liver function and resectable tumor,followed with combined treatment to delay tumor progression and strict follow-up. And then SLT is feasible for patients with tumor recurrence and meeting the criteria of liver transplantation with or without downstage treatment.