Confirm the diagnosis
The team reviews symptoms, examination findings, blood tests, scans and previous medical records. Further tests are arranged only when they are needed.
Treatments Hub
Liver Surgery and HPB Surgery in Sri Lanka
Clear information on liver transplantation, liver resection, hepatobiliary surgery, pancreatic surgery, bile duct surgery, gallbladder surgery and minimally invasive approaches. Treatment is planned around the diagnosis, imaging findings, liver function and overall health.
This page provides general information. The appropriate treatment can only be decided after an individual clinical assessment and review of relevant tests.
Treatment begins with diagnosis
Tests, imaging and multidisciplinary review guide the plan.
Quick answer
What does HPB surgery treat?
HPB surgery means hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery. It covers operations involving the liver, bile ducts, gallbladder and pancreas. Depending on the condition, treatment may include removing diseased tissue, reconstructing a bile duct, removing the gallbladder, pancreatic surgery or liver transplantation.
Not every HPB condition requires surgery. Some patients are monitored or treated with medicines, endoscopy, interventional radiology, oncology treatment or a combination of approaches.
Treatment information
Explore liver and HPB treatments
Each treatment page explains what the procedure is, why it may be considered, how patients are assessed, what the operation may involve and how follow-up is planned.
Liver Transplantation
A diseased or injured liver is removed and replaced with a healthy liver from a donor. Transplantation may be considered for selected patients with advanced liver failure, acute liver failure or certain liver cancers.
Understand liver transplantation →
Living Donor Liver Transplant
Part of a healthy donor's liver is transplanted into the recipient. Donor and recipient assessments are separate and detailed because the operation involves clinical considerations for both people.
Learn about LDLT surgery →
Liver Resection
Liver resection, also called hepatectomy, removes the part of the liver containing a tumour or another area of disease while preserving an adequate functioning liver remnant.
Understand hepatectomy →
HPB Surgery
HPB surgery includes planned operations for complex conditions of the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder. The exact procedure depends on the organ involved and the diagnosis.
Explore HPB surgery →
Pancreatic Surgery
Pancreatic surgery may include a Whipple procedure, distal pancreatectomy or total pancreatectomy. The operation is selected according to the location and type of pancreatic condition.
Pancreatic and Whipple surgery →
Gallbladder Surgery
Cholecystectomy is surgery to remove the gallbladder. It is commonly performed using a laparoscopic approach, although an open operation may be needed in some situations.
Understand cholecystectomy →
Bile Duct Surgery
Biliary surgery may remove, repair or reconstruct part of the bile duct. Depending on the location of disease, it may be combined with liver, gallbladder or pancreatic surgery.
Explore biliary surgery →
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Selected procedures may be performed using laparoscopic or robotic techniques through smaller incisions. Suitability depends on the operation, anatomy, disease extent and available expertise.
Laparoscopic and robotic approaches →
Treatment planning
How is the right treatment selected?
The same diagnosis can require different treatment in different people. Decisions are based on the location and extent of disease, liver and organ function, previous treatment, general health and the likely benefits and risks of each option.
A treatment plan is not based on a scan alone.
Imaging is interpreted together with symptoms, blood tests, medical history and, where relevant, pathology or biopsy findings.
Define the anatomy and extent
Ultrasound, CT, MRI, endoscopy or other investigations may be used to understand where the condition is and how it relates to nearby blood vessels, bile ducts and organs.
Assess liver function and overall fitness
Planning considers how well the liver and other organs are working, existing health conditions, medicines, nutrition and the ability to recover from treatment.
Review the case with relevant specialists
Complex cases may be discussed by surgeons, physicians, radiologists, oncologists, anaesthetists, pathologists and other specialists before a recommendation is made.
Discuss options and agree on a plan
The consultation should cover the purpose of treatment, alternatives, expected recovery, possible risks and what follow-up may be required.
Coordinated care
Treatment may involve more than surgery
This hub focuses on liver surgery and HPB surgery in Sri Lanka, but surgery is only one part of care. Depending on the diagnosis, a patient may need medical treatment, endoscopic procedures, interventional radiology, oncology treatment, surgery or planned combinations of these.
Medical management
Medicines, monitoring and management of underlying liver, metabolic or inflammatory conditions may be the main treatment or may support surgical care.
Endoscopy and biliary procedures
Endoscopic procedures may be used to assess or treat bile duct obstruction, stones, narrowing or drainage problems in selected cases.
Interventional radiology
Image-guided drainage, biopsy, ablation or treatments delivered through blood vessels may be considered for particular conditions.
Oncology treatment
Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy or radiotherapy may be used before surgery, after surgery or instead of surgery, depending on the cancer type and stage.
Surgical approaches
Open, laparoscopic and robotic HPB surgery
The surgical approach is selected according to the planned procedure and the patient's clinical needs. Smaller incisions do not automatically make an operation more suitable; safety and the ability to complete the required treatment remain central.
Open surgery
An open incision provides direct access and may be needed for extensive resections, transplantation, reconstruction or operations involving complex anatomy.
Laparoscopic surgery
Laparoscopic surgery uses a camera and instruments placed through small incisions. Selected gallbladder, liver and other HPB operations may be suitable for this approach.
Robotic surgery
Robotic surgery uses surgeon-controlled instruments and a magnified view. Patients considering robotic liver surgery in Sri Lanka should ask whether the approach is suitable and available for their specific operation.
Can a minimally invasive operation change to open surgery?
Yes. A surgeon may recommend or convert to an open approach when this is needed to complete the operation safely. The possibility should be discussed during consent.
Before and after treatment
Preparing for surgery and planning recovery
Preparation and recovery vary according to the procedure. Your surgical team will provide instructions based on your health, medicines, operation and expected hospital stay.
Pre-operative assessment
Blood tests, imaging, heart or lung assessment and anaesthetic review may be arranged according to the procedure and your health history.
Medicines and nutrition
Tell the team about all prescription medicines, blood thinners, supplements and herbal products. Do not stop medicines unless your clinician advises you to.
Hospital recovery
Care may include pain control, early movement, breathing exercises, nutrition support and monitoring for procedure-specific complications.
Follow-up
Follow-up may include wound review, blood tests, pathology results, imaging, medication changes and coordination with other specialists.
HPB surgery Sri Lanka
Specialist surgical care led by Prof. Thamara Perera
Prof. Thamara Perera is an internationally experienced and extensively published surgeon specialising in liver transplantation, liver cancer and complex surgery of the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder.
Patients may seek a consultation after a diagnosis, an abnormal scan, a recommendation for surgery, or when they need a specialist opinion on available treatment options.
View Prof. Perera's ProfileLiver and transplant surgeryAssessment and surgical planning for selected complex liver conditions and transplantation.
Hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgerySurgical care involving the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder.
Patient and doctor referralsConsultations, second opinions and HPB specialist referral pathways at Kings Hospital Colombo.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about liver surgery and HPB surgery
What is HPB surgery?
HPB surgery means hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery. It is a surgical specialty focused on conditions affecting the liver, pancreas, bile ducts and gallbladder. Operations may include resection, reconstruction, transplantation or minimally invasive procedures.
What is liver resection surgery or hepatectomy?
Liver resection, also called hepatectomy, removes part of the liver containing a tumour or another area of disease. The planned resection depends on the location and extent of disease and on how much functioning liver can safely remain.
When is liver transplant surgery considered?
Liver transplantation may be considered for selected people with advanced liver failure, sudden severe liver failure or certain liver cancers. A transplant assessment considers the likely benefits, medical and surgical risks, psychosocial factors and donor options.
What is living donor liver transplantation?
A living donor liver transplant uses part of the liver from a healthy living donor. The recipient's diseased liver is removed and the donated liver segment is transplanted. The donor and recipient require detailed, separate assessments and follow-up.
What is a Whipple procedure?
The Whipple procedure, or pancreaticoduodenectomy, removes the head of the pancreas together with nearby structures and then reconnects the digestive system. It may be used for selected conditions affecting the pancreas, lower bile duct, duodenum or ampulla.
Is gallbladder removal surgery usually laparoscopic?
Gallbladder removal, or cholecystectomy, is commonly performed laparoscopically through small incisions. An open operation may be required because of inflammation, scar tissue, anatomy, unexpected findings or another clinical reason.
Can liver surgery be performed laparoscopically or robotically?
Some liver resections and other HPB procedures can be performed laparoscopically or robotically. Suitability depends on the type and position of disease, planned extent of surgery, previous operations, available technology and the experience of the surgical team.
How do I book a liver surgeon appointment in Sri Lanka?
You can book a consultation at Kings Hospital Colombo through the Liver.lk appointment page. Bring available scan reports, blood-test results, pathology reports, discharge summaries and a current medicine list to help the specialist review your case.
Do you need a liver or HPB surgical opinion?
Book a consultation for a diagnosed liver, pancreatic, bile duct or gallbladder condition, an abnormal scan, a proposed operation or a second opinion at Kings Hospital Colombo.