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BACKGROUND: In liver surgery, appropriate preoperative evaluation and preparation of the patient is of cardinal importance. The up-to-date, preoperative prediction of residual liver function has thus far been limited. As post-hepatectomy liver failure is a major cause of mortality, a new and simple bedside test (LiMAx) has been developed to predict postoperative liver function in conjunction with preoperative volumetric analysis of the liver. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old patient presented with a cecal carcinoma and a large synchronous liver metastasis for major liver surgery. Liver function was determined by the LiMAx-test for the enzymatic capacity of cytochrome P450 1A2, which is ubiquitously and solely active in the liver. A solution of 2 mg/kg body weight 13C-labeled methacetin was injected as a bolus into an intravenous catheter and, thereafter, was metabolized into acetaminophen and 13CO2 and pulmonarily exhaled. The analysis of the 13CO2/12CO2 ratio was performed using online breath sampling over a period of maximally 60 minutes. Based on this test, a value of more than 315 mug/kg/h represents normal liver function. A laparoscopic right hemihepatectomy was planned during virtual resection with a residual liver volume of 48% and a preoperative anticipated residual LiMAx of 301 mug/kg/h. After successful resection, the initial postoperative LiMAx value was 316 mug/kg/h, indicating good liver function and a correct prediction of the outcome. CONCLUSION: In the presented patient, residual liver function could be accurately predicted preoperatively using a combination of the new LiMax test with CT-volumetry. This test might significantly improve preoperative evaluation and postoperative outcomes in liver surgery.