Hepatobiliary Surgery

Surgical removal of part of the liver to treat primary liver cancer (HCC), metastatic tumours (commonly from colorectal cancer), or benign tumours. The liver's unique ability to regenerate makes partial resection safe when adequate volume is preserved.

Treatment of bile duct stones (choledocholithiasis), bile duct strictures, and cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). May involve stone extraction, duct reconstruction (hepaticojejunostomy), or tumour resection with biliary bypass.

Large or symptomatic liver cysts (hydatid or simple), pyogenic liver abscesses, and amoebic abscesses that do not respond to drainage alone may require surgical deroofing or formal resection.

In selected cirrhosis patients with refractory variceal bleeding or ascites, surgical shunt procedures (distal splenorenal shunt, mesocaval shunt) can decompress the portal system when endoscopic and TIPS options have failed.

Increasingly, liver resections, bile duct explorations, and cyst procedures are performed laparoscopically -- smaller incisions, less pain, shorter hospital stay, faster return to activity. Requires advanced HPB training.

The most complex hepatobiliary operation -- replacement of the failing liver with a donor organ. Includes both living donor and deceased donor transplants, with meticulous vascular and biliary reconstruction.

Open Surgery

Required for large or complex resections, tumours near major vessels, and cases where laparoscopic access is unsafe. Allows the surgeon maximum exposure and control.

• Complex/large resections
• Vascular reconstruction
• Tumours in difficult locations
• Surgeon preference for safety

Minimally Invasive (Laparoscopic)

Used for resections of accessible segments, cyst surgery, and selected bile duct procedures. Offers faster recovery, less blood loss, and shorter hospital stay with equivalent oncological outcomes.

• Smaller incisions, less pain
• 3-5 day hospital stay
• Less blood loss
• Faster return to normal activity