The liver has an intricate network of blood vessels and bile ducts that varies from person to person. Operating on it safely takes specialised training and experience.
Many liver problems — most cysts, for example — only need monitoring. When surgery is needed, I plan it carefully around your scans, your liver function and your overall health.
When to see a liver specialist
- A liver cyst, lump or "space-occupying lesion" found on ultrasound or CT
- Pain or fullness in the upper right abdomen
- Fever with pain under the right ribs (possible liver abscess)
- Jaundice or unexplained weight loss
- Cancer elsewhere in the body that has spread to the liver
Liver conditions I treat
Liver cysts
Simple or complex cysts that cause pain or need removal.
Liver abscess
Infections that need drainage or surgery.
Liver tumours
Benign (haemangiomas, adenomas) and malignant (hepatocellular carcinoma, metastases).
Liver resection
Removal of part of the liver for tumours or other conditions, preserving as much healthy liver as possible.
What to expect
01Consultation
We listen, examine you and go through your reports and scans. A first visit usually takes 20–30 minutes, and family members are welcome.
02Tests and a clear plan
If more information is needed, we arrange blood tests or scans. Then we explain your options in plain language — including whether you need surgery at all.
03Surgery, if needed
Most operations are done by keyhole. Before the day you'll know what to expect: the procedure, anaesthesia, hospital stay and insurance paperwork.
04Recovery at home
You go home with clear instructions on food, activity, medicines and warning signs, plus a patient guide for common operations.
05Follow-up
A check-up to review healing and any biopsy results, and to clear you for your normal routine.
Common questions
What does an HPB surgeon do that a general surgeon doesn't?
HPB (Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary) surgery is a specialised field because these organs don't forgive mistakes.
General surgery covers a wide range of procedures — hernias, appendix, gallbladder, bowel surgery.
HPB surgery focuses on liver resections (removing part of the liver), pancreatic surgery (tumours, chronic pancreatitis, cysts), complex bile duct problems (stones, strictures, tumours) and portal hypertension.
Why it matters: the liver and pancreas have complex blood-vessel anatomy, and a small technical error can be serious. Surgeons who do these operations regularly have better outcomes.
You may need an HPB specialist for: liver tumours or cysts, pancreatic tumours or chronic pancreatitis, bile duct stones that can't be removed endoscopically, and gallbladder cancer.
I was told I have a liver cyst. Is it dangerous?
Most liver cysts are benign and harmless. Many people live their whole lives with one and never know.
Liver cysts need treatment when they cause pain or pressure, are very large, look like they may not be a simple cyst on imaging, or are growing quickly.
- Simple cysts: fluid-filled with smooth walls — almost always benign
- Complex cysts: solid parts, irregular walls or partitions — need further investigation
Most simple cysts only need periodic ultrasound monitoring. Only complex or symptomatic cysts need surgery.
How do you decide if cancer can be operated on?
We weigh three things:
- Resectability — can the tumour be removed completely, with clear margins?
- Fitness — are you well enough to tolerate major surgery?
- Benefit vs. risk — will surgery improve survival and quality of life?
Surgery is most useful for early-stage cancers without distant spread in patients who are otherwise well. It may not help when the cancer has spread widely, is invading critical blood vessels, or there are severe heart or lung problems.
In borderline cases, chemotherapy is often given first to shrink the tumour and make surgery possible. These decisions are made together with your oncologist.