Surgical removal of liver cancer, metastases, and benign tumours — with laparoscopic and robotic options for faster recovery. Performed by Dr. Srinivas Bojanapu (MBBS, MS, FACRSI, DrNB, PDF) at Kauvery Hospital, Electronic City, Bengaluru.
A hepatectomy is the surgical removal of a portion — or in rare cases, all — of the liver. It is the primary curative treatment for liver cancer (HCC) and for cancer that has spread from the bowel to the liver (colorectal liver metastases), in patients whose liver function is adequate and whose disease is resectable.
The liver is nature's most forgiving organ: it can regenerate. Even after removing 60–70% of the liver, the remaining healthy tissue grows back to full functional volume within 3–6 months. This regenerative capacity is what makes major hepatectomy possible and safe in expert hands.
Primary liver cancer. Curative resection is preferred when the tumour is solitary and the remaining liver is healthy. 5-year survival: 40–70% in early HCC.
Cancer spread to the liver from the colon or rectum. Hepatectomy offers the best chance of cure — 5-year survival: 30–50% after complete resection.
Bile duct cancer (intrahepatic type). Extended hepatectomy is required to achieve clear surgical margins. Outcomes depend on disease stage at resection.
Liver metastases from pancreatic or GI neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) may be resected for symptom control and improved survival.
Large hepatic adenomas (risk of rupture), symptomatic haemangiomas, and hydatid cysts unresponsive to medical therapy may require resection.
Right or left lobe hepatectomy in a healthy living donor to provide a graft for a liver transplant recipient (LDLT). The donor's liver regrows to full size.
Standard approach for very large or complex resections. A subcostal or midline incision provides full access to the liver and surrounding structures.
Keyhole surgery with 3–5 small ports. Left lateral sectionectomy, segmentectomy, and minor resections are well-suited to laparoscopy. Faster recovery.
The Da Vinci Xi system offers 3D magnification, wristed instruments, and motion scaling for posteriorly located lesions and precision vascular control.
Dr. Bojanapu selects the approach based on tumour location, size, proximity to major vessels, underlying liver function, and patient fitness. Learn about robotic liver surgery →
Every hepatectomy at Dr. Bojanapu's programme begins with CT volumetry — a computer-based calculation of the future liver remnant (FLR). This is the portion of liver that will remain after resection. The FLR must be sufficient to support normal liver function.
With a Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) in HPB Surgery and Liver Transplantation from RGUHS and DrNB (Surgical Gastroenterology) from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, Dr. Bojanapu brings academic rigour and high-volume surgical experience to every hepatectomy. He performs up to 60 liver transplants per year (95%+ success rate) and has published 9 peer-reviewed papers and textbook chapters — including chapters in the Springer Textbook of Liver Transplantation (2023) and the Paras Medical Textbook of Liver Transplantation.
Yes. The liver is the only organ capable of regeneration. Even after removing 60–70% of the liver, the remaining tissue grows back to full functional volume within 3–6 months. Dr. Bojanapu uses CT volumetry before every resection to confirm sufficient remnant liver before proceeding.
Hepatectomy is very safe at high-volume HPB centres with experienced surgeons. Dr. Bojanapu uses CT volumetry to calculate future liver remnant (FLR) and confirm adequate hepatic reserve. In-hospital mortality for elective hepatectomy at expert centres is below 3%. Minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) techniques further reduce complications.
Yes — surgical resection is the primary curative treatment for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and resectable colorectal liver metastases. 5-year survival after curative HCC resection is 40–70% in early-stage disease. For colorectal liver metastases, 5-year survival after complete resection is 30–50%. A liver transplant is an alternative for HCC in patients with cirrhosis.
Yes. Liquids are started on Day 1 after surgery; soft diet by Day 2–3; normal diet within 2–3 weeks. Once fully recovered, most patients have no long-term dietary restrictions. A healthy, alcohol-free diet is recommended to support liver regeneration.
