Common Diseases Treated By an HPB Surgeon

Persistent abdominal pain, unexplained jaundice, gallstones, or pancreatic disorders should never be ignored. While these symptoms may appear common, they can sometimes indicate conditions affecting the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, or bile ducts that require specialised care. This is where an HPB Surgeon plays an important role.

An HPB Surgeon (Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgeon) is specially trained to diagnose and treat diseases involving the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts. Whether the condition is benign or cancerous, early diagnosis and timely treatment can help prevent complications and improve recovery.

With over 17 years of experience, Dr Srivatsan Gurumurthy offers advanced surgical care for a wide range of HPB conditions at SS Surgical Clinic. As a Robotic & Laparoscopic Surgeon in Chennai, he focuses on minimally invasive techniques whenever suitable, helping patients benefit from smaller incisions, reduced pain, and quicker recovery.

What Is an HPB Surgeon?

An HPB Surgeon diagnoses and treats diseases affecting the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and bile ducts. These organs work together to support digestion, metabolism, and overall health, and often require specialised evaluation because of their complex anatomy and vital functions.

Common procedures performed by an HPB specialist include:

Liver surgery
Gallbladder removal surgery
Pancreatic surgery
Bile duct reconstruction
Surgery for liver, pancreatic, and biliary cancers
Treatment for liver cysts and tumours
Management of pancreatic cysts and chronic pancreatitis

If you are looking for an experienced Hepatobiliary Surgeon in Chennai, it is important to choose a specialist with expertise in managing complex liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile duct diseases using advanced surgical techniques.

Why Do You Need an HPB Surgeon?

Many disorders affecting these organs can become serious if left untreated. While some conditions can initially be managed with medicines, others require specialised surgical treatment to prevent complications.

You may need to consult an HPB Surgeon if you experience:

Persistent upper abdominal pain
Recurrent gallstone attacks
Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
Liver cysts or liver tumours
Pancreatitis, pancreatic cysts, or pancreatic tumours
Bile duct blockage
Unexplained weight loss
Digestive problems linked to liver or pancreatic disease

Consulting a specialist early can help diagnose disease before it becomes severe, reduce the risk of complications, improve treatment success, preserve normal organ function, and increase the chances of minimally invasive surgery.

Common Liver Diseases Treated by an HPB Surgeon:

The liver helps digest food, removes toxins, stores nutrients, and produces proteins needed for normal body functions. Timely diagnosis is essential when the liver is affected by disease.

Liver Cysts – Fluid-filled sacs that are usually harmless. Larger cysts may cause pain, fullness after eating, abdominal swelling, or nausea, and may need surgical removal or drainage.
Liver Tumours – Can be benign (hemangioma, Focal Nodular Hyperplasia) or malignant (Hepatocellular Carcinoma, metastatic liver cancer). Symptoms may include abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue, and jaundice. Treatment may involve liver resection, robotic surgery, chemotherapy, or a combination.
Liver Cancer – One of the most serious conditions managed by an HPB Surgeon. Risk factors include hepatitis B/C, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, and alcohol use. Treatment options include tumour removal, robotic liver surgery, transplantation (in select cases), ablation, and targeted therapies.
Liver Abscess – A pocket of infection caused by bacteria or parasites, causing fever, chills, and abdominal pain. Treated with antibiotics, image-guided drainage, or surgery in severe cases.
Liver Trauma – Injuries from accidents or falls may need anything from observation to emergency surgery, depending on severity.

An experienced Liver Surgeon in Chennai can evaluate liver diseases early and recommend the most appropriate treatment, whether it involves medication, minimally invasive surgery, or complex liver procedures.

Common Gallbladder Diseases Treated by an HPB Surgeon:

The gallbladder stores bile that helps digest fats. Several conditions affecting it may require surgical treatment.

Gallstones (Cholelithiasis) – One of the most common reasons people see an HPB Surgeon. Symptoms include sudden upper right abdominal pain, pain after fatty meals, nausea, and pain radiating to the back or shoulder. Usually treated with laparoscopic or robotic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), the gold standard treatment.
Cholecystitis – Inflammation of the gallbladder, often from gallstones blocking the bile duct, causing severe pain, fever, and vomiting. Early surgery often gives the best outcome.
Gallbladder Polyps – Growths on the gallbladder’s inner wall. Most are benign, but larger or suspicious polyps may need surgical removal.
Gallbladder Cancer – Relatively uncommon but can be aggressive if diagnosed late. Warning signs include abdominal pain, jaundice, weight loss, and swelling. Surgery is the primary treatment at operable stages.
Gallbladder Empyema and Gangrene – Surgical emergencies where the gallbladder fills with pus or loses blood supply, requiring immediate treatment.

As a Robotic & Laparoscopic Surgeon in Chennai, Dr Srivatsan Gurumurthy offers minimally invasive gallbladder procedures that can mean smaller incisions, less pain, minimal blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery.

If you have recurrent gallstones or gallbladder-related pain, an experienced Gallbladder Surgeon in Chennai can help determine whether laparoscopic or robotic surgery is the right treatment option.

Common Pancreatic Diseases Treated by an HPB Surgeon:

The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and hormones like insulin that regulate blood sugar. Diseases here range from inflammation to cancer.

Chronic Pancreatitis – Long-term inflammation, often linked to alcohol use, genetics, or duct stones. Causes severe abdominal pain, weight loss, and diabetes. Mild cases are managed with medication and diet; advanced cases may need surgery.
Acute Pancreatitis – Sudden inflammation, usually from gallstones or alcohol, causing severe pain, nausea, and fever. Most patients recover with medical treatment, but severe cases may need surgical intervention.
Pancreatic Cysts – Fluid-filled sacs, many harmless but some with cancer risk. Managed through monitoring, endoscopic drainage, or surgical removal depending on size and appearance.
Pancreatic Tumours – May be benign or malignant, often with few early symptoms. Warning signs include abdominal/back pain, weight loss, jaundice, and new-onset diabetes in older adults. Surgical removal is often the most effective treatment.
Pancreatic Cancer – One of the most complex diseases HPB Surgeons manage. Treatment may include robotic or laparoscopic surgery, open surgery for complex cases, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, based on the stage.

Consulting a skilled Pancreatic Surgeon in Chennai is important for conditions such as chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic cysts, pancreatic tumours, and pancreatic cancer, where timely treatment can improve outcomes.

Common Bile Duct Diseases Treated by an HPB Surgeon:

The bile ducts carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder and intestine. Blockages, narrowing, or tumours here can seriously affect digestion.

Choledocholithiasis (Bile Duct Stones) – Gallstones moving into the common bile duct, causing pain, jaundice, fever, dark urine, and pale stools. Usually treated with endoscopic stone removal (ERCP), followed by gallbladder surgery if needed.
Bile Duct Strictures – Abnormal narrowing from prior surgery, inflammation, or injury, causing jaundice, itching, and infections. Treated with endoscopic procedures, stenting, or reconstructive surgery.
Bile Duct Cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma) – Rare but serious, often difficult to detect early. Symptoms include persistent jaundice, weight loss, and fatigue. Managed with a multidisciplinary approach involving surgery and chemotherapy.
Biliary Obstruction – Blockages from stones, tumours, or scar tissue can lead to liver damage if untreated. Treatment includes endoscopic drainage, stent placement, or surgical reconstruction.

How Does an HPB Surgeon Diagnose These Diseases?

Diagnosis typically involves:

Medical History and Physical Examination – reviewing symptoms, lifestyle, and family history, and checking for jaundice or organ enlargement.
Blood Tests – assessing liver function, pancreatic enzymes, infection, inflammation, and tumour markers.
Imaging Tests – ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, MRCP, and PET-CT (in select cancer cases) to determine the location and extent of disease.
Endoscopic Procedures – ERCP and Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) for diagnosis and, in some cases, treatment.
Biopsy – to confirm cancer diagnosis where suspected.

Treatment Options Offered by an HPB Surgeon:

Treatment depends on the disease type, severity, and the patient’s overall health, aiming to preserve organ function wherever possible.

Medication and Lifestyle Management – for mild liver disease, early pancreatitis, or small cysts, including pain relief, antibiotics, enzyme supplements, and dietary changes.
Minimally Invasive Surgery – laparoscopic and robotic procedures offering smaller incisions, less pain, reduced blood loss, and faster recovery.
Robotic HPB Surgery – enhanced precision and visualisation for liver, pancreatic, gallbladder, and bile duct procedures in selected patients.
Open HPB Surgery – still needed for large tumours, advanced cancers, complex reconstructions, or extensive trauma.
Multidisciplinary Cancer Care – combining surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and regular follow-up.

When Should You Consult an HPB Surgeon in Chennai?

Many HPB diseases develop gradually, and early symptoms are often mistaken for common digestive problems. Seek medical advice if you experience persistent upper abdominal pain, recurrent gallstone attacks, jaundice, unexplained weight loss, persistent nausea, frequent indigestion, fever with abdominal pain, recurrent pancreatitis, or an abnormal liver function test.

You should also consult a specialist if imaging has revealed liver tumours, pancreatic masses, gallbladder polyps, bile duct blockage, or liver/pancreatic cysts.

Conclusion:

Diseases affecting the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and bile ducts require specialised evaluation and treatment. Whether it is gallstones, chronic pancreatitis, liver tumours, bile duct disorders, or complex cancers, timely intervention by an experienced HPB Surgeon can significantly improve outcomes and quality of life.

If you are experiencing symptoms related to liver, pancreatic, gallbladder, or bile duct disease, consult Dr Srivatsan Gurumurthy, who has over 17 years of experience in managing complex HPB conditions. As an experienced Hepatobiliary Surgeon, Liver Surgeon, Pancreatic Surgeon, and Gallbladder Surgeon in Chennai, he provides advanced, personalised treatment at SS Surgical Clinic using the latest minimally invasive surgical techniques.