What is hepatobiliary surgery?
The Wesley Hospital hepatobiliary surgery service treats disorders of the biliary system, which includes the liver, pancreas, gallbladder and bile duct. The biliary system regulates and produces bile, which the body produces to help digest the fats in foods.
Where possible, hepatobiliary surgery is minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic techniques). The Wesley’s hepatobiliary surgeons diagnose and treat conditions from gallstones and hernia repairs (inguinal and ventral) to more complex problems such as cancers of the liver and pancreas.
At The Wesley Hospital, we use a multidisciplinary approach in our delivery of personalised, high-quality healthcare and provide patients with state-of-the-art treatment to assist in their recovery from hepatobiliary conditions.
The symptoms of gallstones can differ from person to person, and range from biliary colic to acute pancreatic, while some people remain asymptomatic. The presence of gallstones is diagnosed through ultrasound imaging. Multiple treatment options are available depending on the seriousness of the condition, with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder via laparoscopic surgery) being the definitive end treatment.
Many factors can increase a person’s risk of developing liver cancer, including fatty liver disease or genetic disorders; Type 2 diabetes; Hepatitis B or C; high alcohol consumption; obesity; smoking tobacco; and exposure to certain chemicals. Surgery is suitable for a small number of people with liver cancer and will depend on the size, number and position of the tumours. It can involve removing part of the liver, or – ultimately – a liver transplant.
Meet our hepatobiliary surgeons
Note: The information here is for general reference only. To understand the benefits and risks specific to your condition and overall situation, please discuss any procedure with your treating doctor.
Your next step
To access hepatobiliary surgery services at The Wesley Hospital, you will need a referral from your GP. From there, you can make an appointment with one of our hepatobiliary surgeons.