A surgical procedure to create an opening into the liver, usually for drainage or access.
From Greek 'hepar' (liver) + 'stoma' (mouth, opening) + '-y' (procedure). This surgical term emerged as hepatic surgery became more sophisticated in the 20th century.
Hepatostomy is rarely performed in modern medicine because better imaging and minimally invasive techniques now allow surgeons to treat liver problems without creating permanent openings, but it was a lifesaving procedure when infections needed emergency drainage.
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