Suppose that λ−T is left-invertible in L(H) for all λ∈Ω, where Ω is an open subset of the complex plane. Then an
operator-valued function L(λ) is a left resolvent of T in Ω if
and only if T has an extension T~, the resolvent of which is a
dilation of L(λ) of a particular form. Generalized resolvents exist on
every open set U, with Uˉ included in the regular domain of T. This
implies a formula for the maximal radius of regularity of T in terms of the
spectral radius of its generalized inverses. A solution to an open problem
raised by J. Zem\'anek is obtained.Comment: 15 pages, to appear in Trans. Amer. Math. So