About Hepatobiliary Surgery
Key Highlights
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Definitive treatment for end-stage liver failure and certain liver cancers.Can dramatically improve quality of life and long-term survival.Utilizes organs from deceased donors or partial livers from living donors.Performed by highly specialized surgical teams in accredited transplant centers.Offers a chance for a return to normal daily activities post-recovery.
Who is this surgery for?
- End-stage liver disease (cirrhosis) from causes like hepatitis B/C, alcohol, or NASH.
- Acute (fulminant) liver failure from infection, toxins, or drug reactions.
- Primary liver cancers (hepatocellular carcinoma) within specific criteria.
- Certain metabolic liver diseases (e.g., Wilson's disease, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency).li>
- Biliary atresia in children.
- Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).
How to prepare
- Comprehensive medical evaluation including blood tests, imaging (CT/MRI), and heart/lung assessments.
- Psychological and social work evaluation to assess support system and readiness.
- Management of other health conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease) to optimize surgical safety.
- Vaccinations and dental check-up to prevent infections post-transplant.
- For living donor transplants: extensive and independent evaluation of the donor.
- Registration on the national organ transplant waiting list (for deceased donor transplant).
Risks & possible complications
- Surgical risks: Bleeding, blood clots, infection, and bile duct complications.
- Organ rejection, where the body's immune system attacks the new liver.
- Side effects from lifelong immunosuppressive medications (increased infection risk, kidney issues, diabetes, high blood pressure).
- Recurrence of the original liver disease (e.g., hepatitis, cancer).
- Potential for primary non-function (the new liver does not work initially).
- Long-term risks include certain cancers and cardiovascular disease.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial 1-2 weeks in hospital ICU/transplant unit for close monitoring of liver function and vital signs.
- Strict medication adherence to immunosuppressants is absolutely critical to prevent rejection.
- Regular follow-up visits for blood tests, imaging, and medication level checks.
- Gradual increase in physical activity; full recovery to normal activities may take 3-6 months.
- Lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle, including diet, avoiding alcohol, and infection prevention.
- Psychological support to adapt to life post-transplant is often recommended.
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Typical hospital stay: 14-21 days
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Expected recovery time: 3-6 months for full recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering hepatobiliary surgery in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for hepatobiliary surgery in Turkey include Istinye Üniversitesi Hastanesi Liv, VM Medical Park Pendik Hastanesi, Medical Park Florya, Medical Park Bahçelievler, Liv Hospital Ankara, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform hepatobiliary surgery. MediFyr helps you compare liver transplant specialists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for hepatobiliary surgery compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Hepatobiliary Surgery in Turkey
These partner hospitals in Turkey have dedicated liver transplantation teams and experience managing patients undergoing hepatobiliary surgery.
Navya Joshi, a 42-year-old software engineer...
Navya Joshi, a 42-year-old software engineer and mother of two from Bangalore, had always been healthy until a routine health check revealed elevated liver enzymes. Further tests diagnosed her with Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), an autoimmune disease slowly destroying her bile ducts. For five years, she managed with medication, but fatigue became debilitating, and intense itching (pruritus) made sleep impossible. Jaundice turned her skin yellow. Her hepatologist finally said her liver was failing; a transplant was her only chance. The wait on the list was agonizing, filled with fear for her family's future. A match came after eight months. The surgery was long but successful. Recovery in the ICU was tough, with pain and disorientation, but each day she grew stronger. A year later, Navya is back at work part-time, her energy returning. The emotional relief is profound, she feels she's been given her life back to be the mother and professional she wants to be, though she lives with a deep, quiet gratitude for her anonymous donor.