The liver, pancreas and bile duct work closely together, and diseases affecting one often involve the others. Hepato Pancreato Biliary, or HPB, surgery is a specialised field built around this complexity.
What is HPB Surgery?
HPB surgery covers operations on the liver, pancreas and bile duct system, for both benign and cancerous conditions. Because these organs are closely connected to major blood vessels and to each other, HPB surgery demands specific training beyond general surgery.
Dr. Santhosh Anand K S, a Laparoscopic, Robotic and HPB Cancer Surgeon associated with Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai, brings training from AIIMS, JIPMER and advanced robotic surgery experience in Pittsburgh, USA, along with years of HPB practice at GEM Hospital, Coimbatore. He now offers this expertise at Chennai Robotic Pancreas Clinic.
Conditions Treated with HPB Surgery
HPB surgery addresses a wide range of conditions, including:
- Liver tumours: Both benign growths and cancers, including tumours that have spread to the liver from elsewhere.
- Pancreatic tumours and cysts: From pancreatic cancer to cystic lesions that need monitoring or removal.
- Bile duct cancers and strictures: Blockages or tumours of the bile duct that affect digestion and liver function.
- Complex gallstone disease: Cases where stones have moved into the bile duct or caused significant inflammation.
What to Expect as a Patient
HPB surgery is planned carefully, often with input from radiologists and oncologists alongside the surgical team. Where suitable, a laparoscopic or robotic approach is used to reduce the size of incisions and speed up recovery. Hospital stay and recovery time vary considerably depending on the extent of surgery, and Dr. Santhosh Anand sets realistic expectations with each patient well before the operation.
Who is a Good Candidate?
Patients with liver, pancreatic or bile duct tumours, complex gallstone disease, or other conditions affecting these organs are typically referred for an HPB surgical opinion. A thorough review of imaging and overall health determines whether surgery is appropriate and which technique will offer the safest outcome.
frequently asked questions
-
An HPB surgeon has additional, focused training in operating on the liver, pancreas and bile duct, organs that carry a higher surgical risk due to their location near major blood vessels.
-
Recovery ranges from one to two weeks for more limited procedures to several weeks for major liver or pancreatic resections.
- Yes, many HPB cancer operations, including select liver and pancreatic resections, can be performed robotically in suitable patients.
-
Typically, a CT or MRI scan, blood tests including liver function and tumour markers, and sometimes additional imaging such as an endoscopic ultrasound.
Consult Dr. Santhosh Anand K S at Chennai Robotic Pancreas Clinic
For concerns related to hepato pancreato biliary surgery, consultations are available at Chennai Robotic Pancreas Clinic. To book an appointment, call the clinic directly.