We offer a wide range of liver treatments and hepatology surgery, such as:

Orthotopic Liver Transplant

Orthotopic liver transplantation is a surgical procedure in which a patient's diseased liver is removed and replaced with a healthy liver from a deceased donor, positioned in the exact anatomical location of the original organ. The surgery begins with a small incision in the abdomen to extract the damaged liver. The donor liver is then carefully positioned in place of the removed organ, and the surgeon meticulously connects all necessary blood vessels and bile ducts. After completing these connections, the incision is closed. To manage excess fluids, drainage tubes are inserted, and the patient is then transferred to the ICU for continued care and recovery.

Living Donor Liver Transplant

This surgical procedure involves transplanting a portion of a healthy living donor's liver into a patient with liver failure.

The liver specialist first performs surgery on the donor to remove a segment of the liver. Depending on the recipient's age, the surgeon may remove either the right or left lobe. The larger right lobe is typically recommended for adult recipients, while the smaller left lobe is better suited for children.

During the transplantation surgery, the surgeon makes an incision in the abdomen to remove the damaged liver. The appropriate lobe from the donor is then placed into position, and all blood vessels and bile ducts are carefully connected. After the connections are made, the incision is closed, and the patient is transferred to the ICU for continued care and recovery.

The donor's liver has the remarkable ability to regenerate, with the removed portion typically growing back to its original size and function within a few months. Similarly, the transplanted liver will grow and restore its size and function over time.

Split Donation Liver Transplant

Due to the anatomy of the liver, it can't be split evenly for transplantation. For a split donation liver transplant, the organ is divided into two parts – 35%-40% is the left lobe and 65%-70% is the right lobe. Since the liver halves are smaller than the entire organ, the surgery can benefit smaller patients who weigh between 100 and 160 pounds.

To maximise the benefits of each available donor organ, the two parts of the liver can be transplanted onto two different patients. This procedure is generally used if two patients require liver transplant surgery (one an adult and the other a child). The surgery is the same as the living donor liver transplant. The transplanted liver grows to its normal size through the process of regeneration.

Auxiliary Liver Transplant

This procedure is preferred for patients with hereditary or metabolic liver diseases. The surgeon removes only the diseased part of the liver, and the remaining liver is left in place for spontaneous recovery or recovery through gene therapy.

Hepatectomy

In hepatectomy, all or a part of the liver is surgically resected. The procedure removes tumours from the liver cells, called “hepatocytes”. It is used for patients suffering from localised resectable liver cancer, which does not spread to the lymph nodes or other parts of the body. During the hepatectomy procedure, the surgeon can remove the part of the liver affected by the tumour, the right or left lobe of the liver or a larger portion, depending on the location and size of the tumour.

When only a part of the liver is removed, it is known as a partial hepatectomy. In this procedure, the doctors remove only the diseased part of the liver and leave the healthy liver to regenerate and conduct its functions.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy

Laparoscopic hepatectomy is a modern alternative to hepatectomy. It is a minimally invasive procedure that offers a safe and effective way to treat liver diseases. Laparoscopic surgeries help shorten the hospital stay, provide a quick return to a normal diet and offer full mobility in a short span.

The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. The surgeons make three to seven small incisions on the abdomen, depending on the location of the tumour, its size and the amount of the liver to be removed.

The robot-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy can overcome the limitations of conventional laparoscopy. It offers increased dexterity, and a three-dimensional and magnified view of the operative field.

Combined liver and bile duct resection

This hepatology surgery is performed to remove tumours located high in the bile ducts. The surgeons remove the gallbladder, along with the common bile duct. Later, a portion of the small intestine is directly attached to the remaining part of the bile ducts. This process creates a path for the bile to flow directly from the liver to the small intestine. In case the tumour involves the liver, a combined liver and bile duct resection is performed to remove the damaged part of the liver, along with the bile duct and the gallbladder.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy or Whipple procedure

This is a complex operation, performed to remove the duodenum, gallbladder, head of the pancreas and bile duct. It can also treat tumours and other disorders of the pancreas, intestines and bile ducts. After the procedure is complete, the surgeon reconnects the remaining organs to enable the patient to digest food normally.

The Whipple procedure is generally recommended in cases of:

Pancreatic cancer
Cysts in the pancreas
Tumours in the pancreas
Pancreatitis
Cancer of the bile duct
Cancer of the small bowel
Ampullary cancer
Pancreas trauma
The trauma of the small intestine
Neuroendocrine tumours

The Whipple procedure aids in extracting the tumour and stopping the spread of cancer to the other parts of the body. It can be done as open, laparoscopic or robotic surgery, depending on the complexity of the procedure and the location of the cancer.

Biliary bypass

Biliary bypass surgery involves going around a blockage in the bile duct. A blockage can result in pain, itching, jaundice, liver failure, etc. With biliary surgery, the bile can flow out of the liver to the gallbladder or small intestine and relieve the patient of the symptoms caused by a blockage. The procedure is recommended when other types of surgery are not useful in removing the blockage.

The surgery can be performed as open, laparoscopic or robotic surgery, under general anaesthesia. The doctor makes a cut in the bile duct before the blockage, with another cut in the bile duct or the small intestine, after the blockage. They then connect both openings to create a new path for the flow of bile. The incisions are closed with sutures and drain tubes may be inserted to absorb excess fluid.

Liver transplantation surgery is an extremely complicated procedure that requires experience and expertise. Choose Narayana Health, the best liver transplant hospital in India with the world’s best team for liver transplant and HPB surgery.

Treatment Process for Liver Diseases

Accurate diagnosis plays a crucial role in determining the treatment of liver diseases. Three types of tests help in the diagnosis of the liver and biliary diseases:

The first step involves blood tests, such as liver function tests, which help doctors ascertain genetic conditions and specific liver problems.
The blood tests are followed by imaging tests, such as MRI, CT scans and Ultrasound scans to identify the extent of damage to the liver and bile ducts.
The surgeons may also conduct biopsy tests for the accurate diagnosis of tumours and other liver diseases.

The treatment process differs from one patient to another, depending on the diagnosis, age, and the extent of the liver and biliary damage. The early stages of liver and biliary diseases can be treated with medicines and lifestyle changes. However, some serious liver problems require surgery or a liver transplant.

At Narayana Health, we ensure compassionate care and personalised treatment for liver and hepatology disorders to achieve the best possible outcomes.

Hepatology & Liver Transplant Hepatology