The technical problems raised by the delicate surgery of tumours of the liver developing around the vena cava, with and without invasion of segments I and IX was studied on the basis of 7 cases reports. The intra- or extra-hepatic pedicule route, the denudation of the entire retrohepatic vena cava, and the clamping needed for exsanguinous surgery are presented together with future perspectives including 3-D liver imaging, stimulation of liver regeneration potential and ex-vivo techniques are discussed with the aim of more and more carcinological liver surgery.