HPB surgery (hepato-pancreato-biliary)
Our private HPB surgery services are provided at the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead
At the Royal Free London Private Patient Unit, we can help treat complex conditions of the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder through our expertise in hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgical procedures.
Our specialist surgeons have a wealth of experience in treating many associated disorders and regularly perform HPB surgery using both minimally invasive (laparoscopic) and open surgical techniques.
We have a multi-disciplinary team that will provide you with bespoke care, using the latest technologies to support you throughout your treatment.
What is hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery?
HPB surgery is a broad term used to describe a number of procedures that help treat conditions related to the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder. It can also sometimes be used for issues involving your stomach, spleen or digestive tract.
Our team of specialist surgeons regularly perform HPB procedures to cover a wide range of conditions including:
- Liver-related conditions – such as benign liver tumours, liver cancer, liver disease, cirrhosis and cysts
- Pancreatic-related conditions – such as pancreatitis (acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas), pancreatic cancer and cysts
- Gallbladder and bile duct-related conditions – such as gallstones, gallbladder removal and bile duct blockages
- Complex conditions – such as disorders involving other organs (like the stomach, spleen or digestive tract)
By providing you with access to our state-of-the-art facilities at Sheila Sherlock Liver Centre – one of just two HPB units in London – we can use the latest in diagnostic medical equipment to help identify any potential underlying conditions.
This includes advanced imaging technologies like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), which can be used to help diagnose and treat HPB-related conditions as effectively as possible.
Symptoms
The symptoms associated with HPB-related conditions can vary depending on the specific organ affected. However, there are some shared symptoms that could indicate an issue with your liver, pancreas or gallbladder. These include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
- Changes in the consistency of your stools (such as pale-coloured or bloody stools)
- Upper abdominal pain
- Abdominal swelling
- Dark-coloured urine
Should you experience any of these symptoms, one of our consultants will be able to determine whether they’re being caused by an HPB-related condition using a variety of specialist diagnostic tests.
Causes or risk factors associated with HPB conditions
HPB conditions can be caused by several different factors. Some of the most well-understood causes typically include:
- Genetic factors, such as having a family history of HPB conditions
- Having a high alcohol intake
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Viral infections
If you’re concerned about these risk factors and would like further support, book an appointment with our team. Using our high-quality diagnostic equipment, we will be able to check your overall health and help put your mind at ease.
Contact us Monday to Friday, 8am - 6pm:
Booking line: +44 (0) 20 4527 2993
The procedures we offer
At the The Royal Free London Private Patients Unit, we offer a variety of HPB surgical procedures – ranging from minimally invasive options to complex open surgeries.
The surgical procedure you’re recommended will vary depending on factors like your age, general health, lifestyle needs, the type of condition you are diagnosed with and the stage it is currently at.
Here are some of the main HPB surgeries we offer:
- Whipple procedure (laparoscopic and open surgery)
- Total pancreatectomy
- Distal pancreatectomy (open and laparoscopic)
- Hepaticojejunostomy
- Nissen fundoplication
- Liver resection (laparoscopic and open surgery)
- Left lateral liver resection
- Left extended liver resection
- Right extended liver resection
- Wedge liver resection
- Gallbladder fossa resection
- Common bile duct exploration
Whichever treatment is recommended for you, our specialist team of consultants and nurses will make sure your time with us is as comfortable as possible.
You will also be provided with an opportunity to ask as many questions as you’d like and be given specialist aftercare information to support your recovery.
HPB surgery risks and side effects
As with any type of surgical procedure, there are some potential risks and side effects associated with the treatments available. These will vary depending on the specific type of treatment being administered and your surgeon will discuss all of these before your procedure is performed.
Laparoscopic surgical procedures are generally safer and less invasive than open surgery, for example, as they involve making smaller incisions.
Surgical treatments, such as resection or transplantation, can also carry a risk of infection, bleeding and, in less than 5% of cases, mortality.
However, it’s important to remember that these side effects won’t affect everyone in the same way. Using the right type of HPB treatment could help improve your overall quality of life significantly.
Aftercare
Following your HPB surgical procedure, your consultant will provide you with a detailed aftercare plan tailored to your unique needs to help with your recovery. This will vary depending on the type of surgery you undergo.
If you have liver resection surgery, for example, you will typically receive one-to-one nursing care immediately after your surgery. You’ll then be transferred to a private room to continue with your recovery, where you’ll receive detailed advice from our team of dietitians, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
When you’re ready to go home, we’ll provide you with all the aftercare information you need, offering advice on everything from the medicines you can take to the foods you should eat.
While full recovery from surgeries like liver resection can take a minimum of three months, we are always on hand to help you recover as soon as you can.
As part of our patient-focused service, we arrange follow-up appointments to regularly keep up to date with your recovery. However, if you need any support before your follow-up appointment is arranged, our team is here 24/7 to provide you with the information you need.
Meet our consultants
We work with leading experts who are all supported by the expertise of a multidisciplinary team. Our specialist team of doctors and surgeons includes:
Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead
The Private Patients Unit at the Royal Free Hospital is part of the NHS and is wholly owned by the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We offer you access to some of London’s most experienced specialists, all of whom work as NHS consultants at our facilities.
