LIVER & PANCREATIC SURGERY

Mount Alvernia Hospital offers services in the entire spectrum of Liver & Pancreatic Surgery through its team of experienced hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeons.

The liver, gall bladder and pancreas share the same embryological origin. Hence they are closely related in function and anatomy in the body. The more common conditions that can affect these organs include gall stone disease, gall bladder cancer, bile duct strictures, bile duct cancers, Hepatitis B and C infection of the liver, liver cysts, liver cirrhosis, primary liver cancer, secondary liver cancer, pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.

The liver is a large organ situated under the right diaphragm and is protected by the overhanging rib cage. Due to its location, a liver cyst or a liver tumour can grow to a large size with minimal symptoms. Furthermore the liver has the unique ability to regenerate. This allows it to withstand many insults before developing symptoms. Patients who are chronically infected with Hepatitis B and C virus are at greatly increased risk of developing liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. The only way to cure live cancer is to remove it by surgery. Liver surgery in the presence of liver cirrhosis is technically demanding and challenging. As the underlying liver is abnormal, it does not take surgical insults readily. Hence, any form of liver surgery will have to be executed with great care and skill.

It is estimated that 50% of patients with colorectal cancer will have secondary metastases in the liver during his or her life time. While it is conventional practice to treat these patients with chemotherapy, the chance of cure is only possible if these liver metastases can be completely removed from the liver by surgery. Even in cases where it is not possible to remove all the tumours, the hepatobiliary surgeon can combine surgical removal and local ablation techniques to give patient a chance of meaningful prolongation of life. To deliver optimum care to these patients with liver metastases, a multi-disciplinary approach is adopted involving liver surgeon and medical oncologist.

The pancreas lies deep within the upper abdomen and literally rests in front of the spine. Due to its unique position, the presence of a pancreatic cancer tends to produce symptoms late. When a pancreatic cancer is discovered, the best form of treatment that potentially can cure is still complete removal by surgery. The complex operation, called a Whipple's operation, removes the gallbladder, the distal common bile duct, part of the pancreas, duodenum and part of the stomach. Inoperable pancreatic cancer can be palliated with combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Types of surgical procedures offered:-