LIVER PROCEDURES
LIVER SURGERY – AN OVERVIEW
While surgical disease of the liver (tumours) is rare, both cancerous and non-cancerous tumours may be encountered.
Non-cancerous tumours rarely need surgery. Cancerous tumours can be primary (developing in the liver) or metastatic (originating outside the liver). As part of the work-up and planning of surgery, an MRI of the liver will be done before considering treatment options. This will be arranged by us, to be conducted at Netcare Montana Hospital.
Potential risks: Liver surgery can be done open or laparoscopically. When parts of the liver are removed, it is able to regenerate, making liver surgery very rewarding. Liver surgery is always seen as a major intervention, with bleeding as the most common complication, even if rare. The average stay in hospital will be one week, with full recovery taking 4 to 6 weeks.
Our multidisciplinary team also offers non-surgical treatment options like microwave ablation and chemoembolization. Interventional radiology forms a vital part of treatment and includes portal vein embolization.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Dr van Beljon provides individualised care for all his patients. This means that he chooses the best treatment for each patient based on their specific symptoms and physiology. He will chat to you about your condition and treatment options in more detail during the initial consultation.
Should you wish to get a general overview of your condition, the Mayo Clinic provides easy to identify patient resources. Dr van Beljon has identified some of the Mayo Clinic’s resources below:
What do I need to bring with me to my first consultation?
- Your ID / passport
- Your medical aid / insurance card
- List of chronic medication and the dosage
- List of previous surgeries
- Summary of medical complaints
- A referral letter if you have been referred by another healthcare professional
- R500 CASH as a co-payment for consulting a specialist.
Please ensure that you have all of the above available to ensure a smooth and productive consultation.
What instructions should I follow after I have had a surgical procedure?
This may differ from case to case but this is a general guide:
- Make sure you ask all your questions during / before discharge
- Make sure you ask for a sick letter before discharge
- Wound dressings are usually to be removed 2 days after discharge and should be left open. Normal shower/ bathing can then be resumed
- Discharged patients may resume a normal diet
- Make a follow-up appointment by contacting the practice on 012 548 7271.
GALLBLADDER SURGERY
Gallbladder surgery is quite often performed for gallstones and other pathologies like gallbladder cancer.
PANCREATIC SURGERY
Surgical disease of the pancreas are rare, but the pancreas is typically removed when cancerous.