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Liver Resection
( Hepatectomy )

Surgical Expertise

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Safe and Competent Liver Surgery

The liver is responsible for several important day-to-day functions, including digestion, nutrient processing, toxin removal, and maintaining overall body balance. Primary and secondary liver tumors or bile duct diseases may affect the liver and require surgical removal.   In such situations, the affected part of the liver must be removed while carefully preserving as much healthy liver tissue as possible.

Dr. Rajesh Nambiar provides surgical treatment for liver disorders when indicated, using the latest imaging to plan treatment with state-of-the-art equipment. We favour a patient-focused approach with the back-up of a multidisciplinary team to provide these patients the best possible outcome after Liver resection surgery in Dubai.

What is Liver Resection Surgery?

Liver resection, also called hepatectomy, is a surgical procedure done to remove a diseased portion of the liver. The surgery may involve removing a small liver segment, one lobe, or a larger section of the liver, depending on the condition being treated.Liver resection surgery is a highly specialized procedure in hepatobiliary surgery that demands careful planning and advanced surgical skill.The liver has a particularly unique ability to regenerate after surgery. Where indicated, up to 70% of the liver may be removed in healthy patients without any adverse outcome. In all patients, the remaining healthy liver tissue gradually grows and continues to perform normal liver functions effectively.Liver resection may be recommended for conditions such as:
  • Liver cancer (Hepatocellular carcinoma)
  • Liver metastases ( Secondary liver tumor) from colorectal cancer or other cancers
  • Benign liver tumors
  • Bile duct tumors
  • Liver cysts
  • Certain traumatic liver injuries
  • Selected hepatobiliary conditions

Who may be an ideal candidate for Liver Resection Surgery?

Not every patient with liver disease requires surgery. Careful evaluation is important before planning a hepatectomy in DubaiA patient may be considered suitable if:
  • The liver tumor is localized
  • Liver function is adequately preserved
  • There is enough healthy liver remaining after surgery
  • The disease has not spread extensively outside the liver
  • Overall health allows safe anesthesia and surgery
  • Imaging confirms that the tumor can be removed safely
Preoperative planning includes CT scans, MRI scans, blood investigations, and liver function assessment to determine surgical feasibility. Most importantly all patients are discussed in a multidisciplinary team meeting and we finalize a scientific treatment plan. 

Types of Liver Resection Procedures

The extent of surgery depends on the location and size of the liver lesion.

Procedure Type

Description

Wedge resection

Removal of a small wedge-shaped liver section

Segmentectomy

Removal of one liver segment

Partial hepatectomy

Removal of 2 or more segments

Lobectomy

Removal of an entire liver lobe

Extended hepatectomy

Removal of a larger liver portion

Minimally invasive liver surgery

Performed laparoscopically or robotically in selected cases

How is Hepatectomy performed?

Liver resection surgery is performed under general anesthesia in a specialized hepatobiliary surgical setting.The procedure generally involves:
  • Careful exposure of the liver
  • Identification of liver blood vessels and bile ducts
  • Intraoperative assessment of liver anatomy
  • Precise removal of the diseased liver tissue
  • Preservation of healthy liver tissue wherever possible
  • Bleeding control and secure closure
Depending on the case, surgery may be performed through:
  • Open liver surgery
  • Laparoscopic liver resection
  • Robotic-assisted liver surgery
Minimally invasive approaches may be suitable for selected patients with smaller or favorably located liver lesions. Specialized equipment like CUSA, Intra operative ultrasound , Argon plasma coagulation etc, are used during the resection.

Benefits of Liver Resection in Dubai

When appropriately planned and performed by an experienced hepatobiliary surgeon, liver resection in Dubai may offer several advantages.Possible benefits include:
  • Removal of localized liver tumors
  • Potential long-term disease control
  • Improved survival in selected cancer cases
  • Preservation of healthy liver tissue
  • Better symptom relief in selected patients
  • Improved quality of life
  • Faster recovery with minimally invasive techniques in suitable cases

Risk considerations

Patients considering hepatectomy in Dubai should undergo a thorough assessment by an experienced hepatobiliary surgeon. Proper patient selection, modern surgical techniques, and experienced surgical care help reduce complications.Being a major operation, possible risks include:
  • Bleeding and Hematomas
  • Infection
  • Bile leakage and Fluid collections, 
  • Liver insufficiency ( very rare)
  • Temporary digestive disturbances
  • Rare anesthesia-related complications
Patients are monitored during the postoperative period to identify and manage complications early.

Recovery after Liver Resection Surgery

Recovery depends on the extent of surgery, the patient’s liver function, and overall health.
General recovery timeline after open Hepatectomy
Recovery StageExpected Timeline
Hospital stayAround 5–7 days
Walking and light movementWithin a few days
Return to basic daily activitiesAround 2-3 weeks
Full recoveryAround 4-8 weeks
Recovery Support Measures
Patients are usually advised to:
  • Try to stay active with short walks as advised during recovery
  • Consume enough fluids throughout the day to stay properly hydrated
  • Continue following the food and nutrition advice provided by your doctor
  • Avoid lifting heavy objects in the early recovery period
  • Attend all scheduled follow-up visits for recovery monitoring
  • Stay away from alcohol while the liver is healing after surgery
The liver gradually regenerates over time after surgery in most patients

Cost of Liver Resection Surgery in Dubai

The cost of liver resection surgery in Dubai may vary depending on:
  • Complexity of the surgery
  • Open versus laparoscopic approach
  • Hospital stay duration
  • ICU stay
  • Diagnostic investigations
  • Overall medical condition
  • Insurance coverage
For self-paying individuals, a detailed treatment estimate is usually provided after clinical evaluation and imaging review.

Our approach to Liver Surgery

Dr. Rajesh is an experienced gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary surgeon with over 20 years of surgical experience in managing complex GI, liver, and pancreatic conditions.His approach to liver resection surgery focuses on:
  • Thorough evaluation and planning before surgery
  • Preserving as much healthy liver tissue as possible
  • Minimally invasive surgical methods whenever suitable
  • Treatment decisions guided by clinical findings and patient safety
  • Involvement of a multidisciplinary team
  • State-of-the-art equipment
  • Close monitoring after surgery during the recovery phase
  • Individualized treatment plans based on the patient’s condition
His core expertise includes hepatobiliary surgery, pancreatic surgery, minimally invasive GI surgery, and robotic surgery.

Dr. Rajesh Nambiar

MBBS · MS · DNB Surgical Gastroenterology · HPB & Transplant Fellowship · GI, Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Surgery

  • Mediclinic Welcare Hospital
  • DHA Licensed Specialist
  • Adjunct Clinical Lecturer – MBRU
  • Emirates Medical Association
  • Da Vinci System Certified Console Surgeon
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20+

Years of Experience

5

Procedure Types

DHA

Licensed Specialist

Frequently AskedQuestions

Yes. Liver resection is considered a major surgical procedure and requires specialized hepatobiliary surgical expertise.

The liver has the ability to regenerate. In many patients, the remaining healthy liver tissue gradually enlarges after surgery.

The procedure may take several hours depending on the complexity and extent of liver removal.

Yes. Minimally invasive liver surgery may be suitable for selected patients depending on tumor size and location.

Most patients in the hospital for approximately 5–7 days, although this may vary.

Light activities may gradually resume within a few weeks, while complete recovery may take longer.

Liver resection surgery is commonly performed for selected patients with localized liver cancer.

Patients usually require blood tests, CT scans, MRI scans, liver function assessment, and anesthesia evaluation.

Alcohol, excessive fatty foods, and highly processed foods are generally avoided during recovery.

Selected elderly patients with good overall health and preserved liver function may still be suitable candidates after proper evaluation.

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