Liver, Biliary & Pancreas Surgery

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What Is Hepatopancreaticobiliary Surgery?

Hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery refers to complex procedures involving the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and bile ducts. These organs are important to your digestion and metabolism, the process that changes what you eat and drink into energy. Conditions affecting these organs often need special surgical expertise.

At University of Utah Health, our dedicated surgeons offer you compassion and precise care when you need hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery.

Finding Out What’s Wrong Before Liver, Biliary, and Pancreas Surgery

Problems with and diseases of the liver, bile ducts, or pancreas can have similar symptoms, like abdominal pain, nausea, or changes in digestion. That’s why it’s important to find the exact cause.

Diagnostic Procedures

Accurate diagnosis of hepatopancreaticobiliary conditions involves specialized procedures.

Your provider may use one or more tests to learn what’s happening inside your body:

  • Advanced imaging techniques—We use techniques including MRI, CT scans, and ultrasound to look inside your body. The images help your surgeon see tumors, inflammation, blockages, and physical features clearly.

  • Biopsy procedures—Sometimes providers take a tiny piece of tissue to look at it more closely. They can do this using a needle or a small camera.

  • Blood tests—Your blood can give your surgeons information about liver, biliary, and pancreatic function. The tests can also find evidence of tumors, inflammation, or other problems.

  • Endoscopic procedures—This test uses a thin tube with a camera to check your bile ducts and pancreas. It can also treat problems like blockages during the same visit.

Find a Liver, Biliary, & Pancreas Surgeon

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Biliary Surgery

Bile is a fluid made by your liver that helps your body digest fat. Bile moves through small tubes called bile ducts. Bile ducts run from your liver to your small intestine. If something blocks or damages these ducts, you may need surgery to fix the problem. There are a few types of bile duct surgery:

  • Bile duct reconstruction—If part of the bile duct is damaged, surgeons remove that part and rebuild it using a piece of your intestine.

  • Common bile duct exploration—Surgeons use small cuts and special tools (called laparoscopic surgery) to explore the bile duct. For example, they may find and remove gallstones during a bile duct exploration.

  • Hepaticojejunostomy—If there’s a blockage that can’t be removed, surgeons make a new path from your liver to your small intestine so bile can keep flowing the right way.

Pancreatic Surgery

The pancreas is an organ that helps with digestion. It also controls blood sugar by making insulin. Sometimes, surgery is needed if there are tumors, long-term swelling, or other serious problems with your pancreas.

Benign Pancreatic Tumor Surgery

If there’s a lump or growth in the pancreas—even if it’s not cancer—your surgeon may still need to remove it. This helps prevent it from becoming harmful later. There are two common surgeries for benign pancreatic tumors:

  1. Pancreatectomy—A surgery that removes part or all of the pancreas, depending on where the tumor is.

  2. Whipple procedure—A more complex surgery that removes part of the pancreas, as well as nearby areas like the bile duct, gallbladder, and part of the small intestine.

Chronic Pancreatitis Surgery

Chronic pancreatitis is a condition where your pancreas is inflamed (swollen) for a long time. It can cause pain and digestion problems. If medicine or other treatments don’t work, surgery may help. There are different surgical options for chronic pancreatitis:

  • Endoscopy—A provider uses a thin, flexible tube with a camera to look inside your digestive system. They can spot problems and take small samples if needed.

  • Lateral pancreatojejunostomy (Puestow procedure)—This surgery helps drain the pancreas if one of the main tubes inside it is blocked. The surgeon connects it to your small intestine so fluid can flow better and reduce pressure. 

Liver Surgery

Your liver filters toxins from your blood, helps you digest food, makes essential proteins, and manages your body’s energy. It’s so vital that you can’t live without it. Sometimes, liver surgery is needed to remove damaged parts of the liver so it can keep doing its job. Surgery can prevent serious problems like organ failure. Your provider might recommend surgery if you have a serious liver condition.

End-stage Liver Disease

If your liver is badly damaged and stops working well, it’s called end-stage liver disease. This often happens after many years of liver problems. In these cases, your provider might recommend a liver transplant.

A liver transplant means replacing your damaged liver with a healthy one. The new liver can come from someone who has passed away or, sometimes, from a living person who gives a part of their liver.

Liver Trauma or Liver Cancer

Other serious problems include injuries (from things like car accidents) or liver cancer, which is when harmful cells grow in the liver.

Surgeons may treat these problems by removing the damaged part of your liver. This surgery is called a liver resection or partial hepatectomy—both mean taking out part of the liver to help you heal.

  • Liver resection or (hepatectomy)—Removes part of the liver to treat cancer, tumors, or serious injury.

  • Partial hepatectomy—Removes only a portion of the liver to treat cancer, benign growths, cysts, or trauma.

The good news is that the liver can grow back. So even if a part is removed, the rest of the liver can keep working and rebuild itself over time.

Treating Liver, Bile, and Pancreas Conditions with Fewer Incisions

At U of U Health, we use newer types of surgery that only need small cuts. These minimally invasive surgeries help you heal faster and with less pain than regular surgery.

After checking your health and needs, your provider will decide if one of these options is right for you:

  • Laparoscopic surgery—Uses a tiny camera and tools through small cuts in your abdomen.

  • Robotic surgery—A surgeon controls special arms during robotic surgery to operate with great care and precision.

What to Expect After Liver, Biliary, and Pancreas Surgery

Like all surgeries, liver, bile duct, and pancreas procedures come with some risks. But serious problems like infections, bleeding, or bile leaks are uncommon. Our skilled team uses careful surgical techniques and closely monitors you after surgery to catch and treat any issues early.

Most surgeries, including endoscopic or robotic ones, are done under general anesthesia. This means you’ll be asleep during the procedure.

Recovery looks a little different for everyone. It depends on the type of procedure you had and your overall health. There are a few things you can expect after your procedure:

  • Right after surgery—You’ll likely stay in the hospital for several days, depending on how you’re doing. With minimally invasive surgery, you’ll go home within a day or two.

  • First week—You can walk, go outside, and climb stairs, but should avoid strenuous activities. You can eat regular food after going home, but in smaller amounts for about a month. Staying hydrated is vital to your recovery.

  • Two weeks—Most people return to their everyday activities. You may have some limitations due to incision pain.

  • Three to six weeks—You won’t need formal rehab, but your care team may recommend light exercises to help you regain strength.

Your care team includes your surgeon and care coordinator. They will give you specific guidance for your recovery based on your procedure and personal needs.

Why Choose University of Utah Health?

At U of U Health, we’re here to care for you every step of the way. Our goal is to help you feel safe, supported, and well cared for—before, during, and after surgery. Our surgeons are leaders in liver, biliary, and pancreas surgery. Our multidisciplinary team works together to plan and manage your treatment. We focus on what’s best for you and your comfort and use the latest surgical technology to help you heal faster.

Make an Appointment

Referrals are welcome, but not necessary unless specified by your insurance provider. Our multi-specialty team coordinates liver, biliary, and pancreas care from diagnosis to recovery, meaning you receive the care you need all in one health care system.

Contact an outpatient coordinator at 801-213-9500 to schedule your appointment.