Abstract: Objective To compare the effect of selectively timely half hepatic vascular occlusion and Pringle maneuver in hepatectomy on long-term survival of patients with operable small liver cancer. Methods According to various hepatic vascular occlusion methods, we divided 222 patients with small liver cancer who received the abdominal surgery in our hospital into three groups: No hepatic vascular occlusion group, selectively timely half hepatic vascular occlusion group and Pringle maneuver group. We periodically followed the patients up to collect and compare survival data. Results The median survival time of selectively timely half hepatic vascular occlusion group had statistical significant difference with No hepatic vascular occlusion and Pringle maneuver groups, respectively (P=0.02 and P=0.04). The 3-year survival rate of No hepatic vascular occlusion, selectively timely half hepatic vascular occlusion and Pringle maneuver groups were 81.3%, 93.3% and 76.0%, respectively (P=0.008); The 5-year survival rates were 70.6%, 90.8% and 50.7%, respectively (P<0.001). The 3- and 5-year survival rates of selectively timely half hepatic vascular occlusion group were better than the other two groups. Conclusion Selectively timely half hepatic vascular occlusion in hepatectomy on small liver cancer patients could significantly improve the survival rate and prolong the survival time.