Liver Robotic Surgery in Mumbai

A robotic liver surgery is an advanced alternative to a traditional liver surgery. It is carried out to replace or treat a damaged liver, which can be a consequence of liver failure. Robotic arms are used to perform this procedure instead of the surgeon's hands. This improves surgical results and precision by making the procedure far less intrusive than earlier versions of liver transplant surgery. The team at Gleneagles Hospitals comprises skilled surgeons and advanced robotic systems, which have led to our high success rates. 

This surgery could be recommended to you by your doctor if you have any of the following medical conditions: 

• Liver Tumours: While some liver tumours can be benign, others can be malignant to your body. Some kinds of malignant tumours would be hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and metastatic liver cancer. In such events, it is necessary to conduct surgery so the growth of the tumour can be stopped and the complications can be minimised.
• Liver Cysts & Lesions: Fluid-filled cysts or abnormal growths could be present in the liver. These are detrimental to health as they can cause pain and infection. So, surgery may be performed if these cysts lead to discomfort or other health risks.
• Liver Cirrhosis Complications: Partial liver resection would be needed in cases of severe liver scarring present. The remaining functioning of the liver can be preserved through this.
• Hepatic Bile Duct Disorders: The function of the liver can be impaired if any structural abnormalities or blockages occur in the bile ducts. These blockages would have to be removed through surgery. This would be done to restore normal bile flow within the body.

There are various types of robotic liver surgery present within the medical field. Each of these can help target a different concern: 

• Robotic Liver Resection: A robotic liver resection can remove the diseased portion of the liver. This disease may have been caused due to tumors of cysts. Using this approach can be minimally invasive and reduce the amount of time and risks involved in the procedure.
• Robotic Hepatectomy: A robotic hepatectomy minimises the blood loss during surgery and paces up patient recovery. It is a precise method to remove damaged liver segments.
• Robotic-Assisted Living Donor Surgery: Robotic-assisted living donor surgery is done during liver transplantation. It increases the level of accuracy by improving donor organ retrieval. Due to this, there is a better outcome for both the donors and the recipients.
• Robotic Biliary Surgery: Robotic biliary surgery can treat bile duct conditions such as blockages. It can help increase precision during the surgery and reduce post-surgical complications.

Many comprehensive medical evaluations must be conducted before undergoing Liver Robotic Surgery in Mumbai. These include:  

• Medical History Review: The doctors will need to review any past liver conditions or surgeries that you may have had. The presence of any chronic illnesses would also be discussed before the beginning of the procedure. This step is essential as it can aid the doctor in determining the best approach for treatment. You would also be asked various questions about your lifestyle habits, including alcohol use and medication history.
• Imaging Tests: It is important to get a detailed view of your liver structures before starting with the treatment. Imaging tests such as MRI scans are conducted for this. These tests can help with many aspects, for example, finding the tumour's location. This will help the doctor create an appropriate treatment plan for you.
• Blood Tests: The doctor will need to ensure how well a patient’s liver is working and whether or not they are fit for surgery. This is done through various blood tests. These blood tests can evaluate enzyme levels and clotting function. They can also help one assess how much the risk of heavy bleeding during surgery would be.
• Preoperative Fasting: It is common for the patient to have to fast for a few hours before the surgery begins. An empty stomach helps prevent complications during anaesthesia. Your doctor will inform you of when to stop eating and drinking.
• Medication Adjustments: Not all medications adjust well with this procedure. You may have to discontinue taking medications such as blood thinners. This is because these medications can increase the risk of excessive bleeding during surgery.

These are the steps that are followed during this procedure: 

• Anesthesia Administration: As the very first step of the treatment, the patient would be placed under general anaesthesia. This is to make sure that they are unconscious and unable to feel any pain throughout the procedure. While this is happening, an anesthesiologist will continuously monitor their vital signs.
• Robotic System Setup: The surgeon will use a console to operate the robotic arms. They will refer to the magnified 3D view throughout the process to be precise. The robotic system reduces the human errors that may have had a higher chance of occurring in a traditional approach.
• Small Incisions: Tiny keyhole incisions will be made in the abdomen. This will be done by inserting the robotic instruments and a camera within. In most cases, the medical staff would use carbon dioxide to create space as that can offer better visibility. These incisions reduce scarring and the risks of infections.
• Liver Resection or Treatment: For this step, the surgeon will either treat or remove the damaged part of that liver. This would depend on the type of liver surgery that is taking place. Some instances may require specialised tools to control bleeding, but usually, this technique is safe and preserves as much healthy liver tissue as possible.
• Closure and Recovery: The robotic instruments will be removed once the procedure is complete. The small incisions will be closed with sutures or surgical glue. The patient will then be moved to the recovery room and post-surgical care will continue for a while after.

Robotic assistance has made the procedure much more precise and has significantly increased the success rate.

Patients usually experience a faster recovery period after robotic surgery as compared to open surgery. However, post-surgical care is important in both cases. Some important aspects of this include: 

• Hospital Stay: It is common for patients to stay in the hospital for at least two to four days after the surgery is complete. This depends on how complex the procedure was and how well the recovery progress is taking place. The doctors closely monitor the patient during this time to be aware of any signs of complications that may arise.
• Pain Management: Most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort after the procedure. This can be controlled through pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications.
• Dietary Adjustments: This procedure will require one to make adjustments to their diet. They will be recommended a diet that is low in fat and rich in nutrients. Alcohol, processed food and excessive sodium are all extremely harmful to the recovery process.
• Regular Follow-Ups: It is essential to go in for regular check-ups after the procedure. These check-ups would include blood tests and imaging tests for the doctor to detect any possible complications. The doctor may also adjust medications or dietary guidelines during these.
• Gradual Return to Activities: Light activities can be resumed after a few days of the procedure. While one can return to their normal routine within two to three weeks, any strenuous activities should be avoided until the liver fully recovers.

Robotic surgery has some risks despite being highly safe. These risks include:

• Infection: Infections are quite rare in this due to the small incisions. However, there is still a slight risk present. These infections can easily be managed through proper care and antibiotics.
• Bleeding: Excessive bleeding may occur if any of the major blood vessels are affected.
• Bile Leakage: There is a possibility of bile leakage if the bile ducts are involved. These may require drainage if such a situation occurs.
• Anaesthesia Reactions: Anesthesia can cause mild side effects such as nausea or dizziness. However, these effects usually subside after the surgery.

Gleneagles Hospitals follow all the required safety protocols during the procedure.

Gleneagles Hospital is one of the top robotic surgery hospitals in Mumbai. Our years of experience have built a very strong reputation across the country. These are some of the aspects that make us stand out: 

• Expert Robotic Surgeons: Our specialists are highly trained and have extensive experience in robotic-assisted liver procedures.
• Modern Facilities: Our surgical wards are equipped with the latest robotic equipment.
• High Success Rates: We maintain an impressive success rate and our patients have complete recoveries.
• Post-Surgical Care: We have a team that is dedicated to supporting and guiding you during your recovery period.