Objective To evaluate precise hepatectomy for liver metastases of colorectal cancer. Methods The clinical data of 85 patients with liver metastases of colorectal cancer who were admitted to the Cancer Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from October 2006 to October 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Forty-two patients received precise hepatectomy(precise group) and 43 received routine hepatectomy (routine group). Evaluation of the hepatic and renal functions and detection of the tumors' condition were done before carrying out anatomical liver resection for patients in the routine group. Hepatic functional reserve of patients in the precise group was detected by indocyanine green excretion test. Hepatic artery, hepatic vein and portal vein were three-dimensionally reconstructed according to the data of computed tomography. The liver volume and residual liver volume of the patients were calculated. Hepatic resection was guided by intra-operative ultrasound in the precise group. Periand postoperative conditions and the results of follow-up of patients in the two groups were compared. All data were analyzed using the t test or chi-square test. Results No perioperative mortality was observed in the two groups.Time of hepatic blood flow occlusion and blood loss were (35±25)minutes and (685 ± 524) ml in the routine group, and (64±39) minutes and (486±360) ml in the precise group, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups(t=4.116,-2.033, P＜0.05). The volumes of blood transfusion of the routine group and the precise group were (228±398) ml and (160±330)ml, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (t=-0.861, P＞0.05). The postoperaive levels of alanine transaminase at day 1 and day 7 were (672±284)U/L and (332±161)U/L in the routine group, and (344±158)U/L and (125 ±93) U/L in the precise group, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (t=-6.541,-7.232,P＜0.05). The length of hospital stay and postoperative mobidity were (18±10)days and 26% (11/43) in the routine group, and (12±6)days and 7%(3/42) in the precise group, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (t=- 3.915, x2=5.251, P＜0.05). The 1-year tumor recurrence rate and 1-year survival rate were 37% (16/43) and 88% (38/43) in the routine group, and 21% (9/42) and 93% (39/42) in the precise group, with no significant difference between the two groups (x2= 0.110, 0. 501, P＞0.05). Conclusion Precise hepatectomy is superior to routine hepatectomy in aspect of minimal trauma, quick recovery, efficacy and safety.