This network meta-analysis evaluates the effect of different anesthetics on ischemia-reperfusion injury in patients undergoing hepatectomy, the primary treatment for early-stage liver cancer. The analysis included 19 studies with a total of 1319 participants, retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science databases according to PRISMA-NMA guidelines. Bayesian network meta-analysis in R 4.3.2 and Stata 15.1 was used, with efficacy assessed using SUCRA (area under the cumulative classification curve). The combination of propofol and sevoflurane (SUCRA: 71.82%), followed by the combination of propofol, isoflurane and fentanyl (SUCRA: 61.87%) and monotherapy with sevoflurane (SUCRA: 5.61%) was the most effective in reducing aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. The combination of propofol and sevoflurane (SUCRA: 71.94%), followed by propofol monotherapy (SUCRA: 61.71%) and the combination of propofol with sufentanil (SUCRA: 58.59%) led to a decrease in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. The combination of propofol and sevoflurane appears to be the most effective approach to reduce ALT levels and limit liver enzyme elevations after hepatectomy. The study is registered under the identifier CRD42023472070.