Liver, Spleen and Pancreas Specialist in Ahmedabad

Facing liver, spleen, or pancreas issues can be daunting and overwhelming, affecting not only your health but your overall quality of life. At Tirtham Surgical Hospital (one of the top patient-rated hospitals in Ahmedabad), we understand the pain you are going through. Our compassionate team is dedicated to providing the highest quality care, using the latest surgical techniques to ensure the best outcomes.

Liver, Spleen, and Pancreas Surgery

With 16+ years of dedicated service, Dr. Alpesh Patel and the skilled professionals at Tirtham Surgical Hospital in Ahmedabad empathize with your struggles and are here to support you. Our expertise at Tirtham Surgical Hospital lies in performing these surgeries, focused on restoring your comfort and improving your quality of life.

Why do doctors perform these surgeries?

Let’s understand in detail why do doctors perform liver, spleen and pancreas surgery:

Why do Doctors Perform Liver Transplant Surgery?

A liver transplant surgery can be an option for people with liver cancer or liver failure that can’t be managed with other treatments.

Liver failure can happen quickly or slowly. Liver failure can be categorized into two main types:

Acute Liver Failure: If it occurs rapidly within weeks, it is called acute liver failure, which is rare and usually caused by complications from certain medications.

Chronic Liver Failure: Chronic liver failure develops gradually over months or years. Chronic liver failure is often caused by various conditions, with the most common being liver scarring (cirrhosis). In cirrhosis, scar tissue replaces healthy liver tissue, impairing liver function.

Cirrhosis: Cirrhosis is the leading reason for liver transplant surgery. The main causes of cirrhosis that lead to liver failure and the need for a liver transplant include:

Hepatitis B and C.
Liver damage from excessive alcohol consumption.
Fat accumulation in the liver causing inflammation or damage.
Genetic liver diseases such as hemochromatosis (excessive iron buildup) and Wilson’s disease (excessive copper buildup).
Diseases of the bile ducts, including primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and biliary atresia (the most common reason for liver transplants in children).

Liver transplant surgery can also be used to treat certain cancers that start in the liver.

Why do Doctors Perform Splenectomy (Spleen Surgery)?

A splenectomy is a surgery to remove the spleen, an organ located under your rib cage on the upper left side of your abdomen. Your doctor might recommend it for the following reasons:

Ruptured Spleen: A ruptured spleen due to severe abdominal injury or an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.

Enlarged Spleen: To alleviate pain and a feeling of fullness caused by an enlarged spleen.

Blood Disorders: Conditions like idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, polycythemia vera, and thalassemia might require splenectomy if other treatments fail to reduce symptoms.

Cancer : Certain cancers, such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and hairy cell leukemia, may necessitate spleen removal.

Infection: Severe infections or abscesses in the spleen that don’t respond to other treatments may require splenectomy.

Cysts or Tumors: If noncancerous cysts or tumors in the spleen are large or difficult to treat, they may need to be removed.

Doctors may also remove the spleen to help diagnose an unclear condition, especially if the spleen is enlarged.

Why do Doctors Perform Pancreas Surgery (transplant)?

A pancreas transplant can potentially restore insulin production and improve blood sugar control in individuals with diabetes, particularly those with type 1 diabetes, which is difficult to manage with standard treatments. However, it is not considered a routine procedure due to the serious side effects associated with anti-rejection medications required afterward.

Doctors may recommend a pancreas surgery for people who experience:

Type 1 diabetes cannot be controlled effectively with conventional treatments.
Frequent episodes of low blood sugar (insulin reactions).
Chronic difficulty in maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
Severe kidney damage associated with diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes with both low insulin resistance and low insulin production, although this is less common.

Most pancreas transplants fall into several categories:

Pancreas Transplant Alone: Suitable for individuals with diabetes and early or no kidney disease, where a healthy pancreas replaces a malfunctioning one.

Combined Kidney-Pancreas Transplant: Often performed simultaneously for diabetes patients with existing or at-risk kidney failure. This procedure aims to provide both a functioning kidney and pancreas, reducing the risk of diabetes-related kidney complications.

Pancreas-after-Kidney Transplant: When a kidney transplant is performed first due to availability, followed later by a pancreas transplant once a suitable donor pancreas is found.

Pancreatic Islet Cell Transplant: Involves injecting insulin-producing islet cells from a deceased donor’s pancreas into the liver through a vein. This approach is under research and may be offered in clinical trials for individuals with severe complications from type 1 diabetes.

Each type of pancreas surgery aims to improve the recipient’s quality of life and reduce diabetes-related health issues, particularly in those with severe complications or who do not respond well to other treatments.

How is Liver Transplant Surgery Performed?

Liver transplant surgery is a complex procedure that typically lasts between six to twelve hours. During the surgery, you will be asleep under general anesthesia. Surgeons will place various tubes in your body to assist in different functions while you are unconscious. These tubes include:

An IV (intravenous catheter) in your arm or hand to deliver fluids and medications.
An IV in your neck or thigh to monitor your blood pressure and take blood samples.
A tube inserted through your mouth into your windpipe is connected to a ventilator.
The ventilator helps to mechanically expand your lungs and ensure you continue to breathe during the procedure.
Tubes in your abdomen to drain blood and fluid from around the liver.
A nasogastric tube is inserted through your nose into your stomach to drain stomach secretions. This tube will stay in place until your bowel function returns to normal.
A catheter in your bladder to drain urine.

To begin the operation, the surgeon will make a single long incision across your abdomen to access the liver. They will carefully separate the liver and clamp the blood vessels and bile ducts connected to it.

Then, they will replace the diseased liver with the donated liver and reconnect it to your blood vessels and bile ducts. After closing the incision, you will be transferred to the intensive care unit for recovery.

How is Spleen Surgery Performed?

Your surgeon can remove your spleen using one of two methods:

Laparoscopy Surgery
Open surgery.

Both procedures are performed under general anesthesia, so you will be asleep during the operation.

1) Laparoscopic surgery: In many cases, a splenectomy can be done laparoscopically, which is a minimally invasive approach. This method involves making three or four small incisions in your abdomen.

During laparoscopy:
Carbon dioxide gas is used to inflate your abdomen for better visibility.
A laparoscope (a thin rod with a camera) is inserted through one incision to provide a view of the surgery on a video monitor.
Tiny surgical instruments are inserted through the other incisions to remove your spleen.
Your spleen may be prepared for further testing if needed.
The incisions are closed with stitches, staples, or surgical glue.

2) Open surgery: Open surgery may be necessary if your spleen is too large to remove laparoscopically or if there is uncontrollable bleeding.

During open surgery:
A single larger incision is made in your abdomen to access and remove the spleen.
The surgical steps are similar to laparoscopy but involve a larger opening.

Sometimes, a planned laparoscopic surgery may need to be converted to open surgery if unexpected complications arise during the procedure.

How is Pancreas Surgery Performed?

When it’s time for surgery, your healthcare team will assist you onto the operating table. The anesthesiologist will administer anesthesia through an IV in your arm to put you to sleep for the procedure. The IV will continue to deliver fluids, medications, and sometimes nutrition.

During surgery, your healthcare team will place several tubes to support your body. You’ll have a tube in your windpipe to help you breathe and another in your stomach to prevent nausea. A Foley catheter will drain your urine, and tubes in your abdominal cavity will remove excess fluids.

Most pancreatectomies are done through open surgery, where a single long incision is made across your abdomen to access your organs. Some hospitals may offer minimally invasive options like laparoscopic or robotic surgery, using small incisions and, a camera (laparoscope) and long tools to perform the operation.

These methods can make recovery somewhat easier compared to open surgery.

FAQ

What is a liver transplant surgery?

Liver transplant surgery involves replacing a diseased or failing liver with a healthy liver from a deceased or living donor.

What are the risks associated with liver transplant surgery?

Risks include infection, bleeding, organ rejection, and complications related to the anesthesia. Long-term risks may include immunosuppression-related complications and organ rejection.

How successful is liver transplant surgery?

Liver transplant is a highly successful procedure, with survival rates varying depending on factors such as the recipient’s health and the quality of the donor liver

Which is the best hospital for liver, spleen and pancreas transplant surgery in Ahmedabad?

Tirtham Hospital in Ahmedabad is recognized for its expertise in liver, spleen and pancreas transplant surgery treatments.

What are the risks associated with spleen surgery?

Risks include bleeding, infection, damage to surrounding organs, blood clots, and potential long-term risks such as increased susceptibility to certain infections.

Will spleen surgery affect my immune system?

Yes, because the spleen plays a role in fighting infections, its removal can increase the risk of certain bacterial infections. Vaccinations and preventive measures may be recommended.

Are there alternatives to spleen surgery?

In some cases, alternative treatments or medications may be considered to manage underlying conditions without removing the spleen. This depends on the specific diagnosis and medical evaluation.

What are the different types of pancreas surgeries?

Pancreas surgeries include pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure), distal pancreatectomy, total pancreatectomy, and pancreatic enucleation, each tailored to specific conditions.

What should I expect during recovery from pancreas surgery?

Recovery varies but typically involves hospitalization for several days to monitor for complications, pain management, dietary adjustments, and gradual return to normal activities.

What are the long-term effects of pancreas surgery?

Long-term effects may include changes in digestion, the potential need for insulin therapy (if the surgery affects insulin production), and regular monitoring for recurrence or complications.

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Liver, Spleen and Pancreas Specialist in Ahmedabad​