Department of GI, HPB Surgery & Liver Transplantation
The Department of GI, HPB Surgery & Liver Transplantation at KIMS Hospitals, Thrissur provides specialist surgical care for diseases of the oesophagus, stomach, small and large bowel, rectum and anus, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas. The department brings together gastrointestinal surgery, hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery, minimally invasive and robotic surgery, and a developing liver transplantation programme under one team. Our focus is on accurate diagnosis, careful patient selection, safe surgery with the least invasive approach appropriate, and structured recovery and follow-up. Close collaboration with Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radiology and Interventional Radiology, Medical and Radiation Oncology, Anaesthesia, Critical Care, Pathology and Nutrition allows coordinated management of both routine and complex abdominal conditions.
Comprehensive GI & HPB Surgical Services
Liver Surgery
Surgical evaluation and treatment of benign and malignant liver disease, including: Liver resection for primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma) Resection of colorectal and other liver metastases benign liver tumors and cysts, including hydatid disease Liver abscess requiring surgical management open, laparoscopic, and robotic liver resection where appropriate
Biliary & Gallbladder Surgery
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstones and their complications Common bile duct stones and complex biliary surgery Choledochal cyst excision and biliary reconstruction Bile duct injury repair and benign biliary strictures Gallbladder cancer and hilar cholangiocarcinoma
Pancreatic Surgery
Pancreatoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) for periampullary and pancreatic head tumours Distal pancreatectomy and spleen-preserving procedures Cystic tumours of the pancreas Surgery for chronic pancreatitis Management of complicated acute pancreatitis
Upper GI Surgery
Surgery for stomach cancer and other gastric tumours Peptic ulcer disease and its complications Gastro-oesophageal reflux and hiatus hernia Bariatric and metabolic surgery in selected patients
Colorectal & Anorectal Surgery
Colorectal cancer resection, including laparoscopic surgery Rectal cancer surgery and transanal endoscopic operation (TEO) for selected rectal tumours Inflammatory bowel disease and diverticular disease Stoma creation and reversal Haemorrhoids, fistula-in-ano, fissure and other perianal conditions
Hernia & Abdominal Wall Surgery
Inguinal, femoral and umbilical hernia repair Incisional and ventral hernia repair Laparoscopic hernia repair
Acute Abdominal Conditions
Surgical assessment and treatment of acute abdominal conditions such as appendicitis, acute cholecystitis, bowel obstruction and complicated hernia.
Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgery
Wherever clinically appropriate, procedures are performed by laparoscopic or robotic approaches, offering smaller incisions, less pain, shorter hospital stay and faster return to normal activity. These include advanced laparoscopic GI surgery and robotic HPB surgery.
GI & HPB Oncology
Cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, liver, bile ducts, gallbladder, pancreas, colon and rectum are managed through multidisciplinary tumour board discussion with Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Radiology and Pathology. Selected patients with peritoneal disease or retroperitoneal tumours are assessed for cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC or retroperitoneal tumour resection.
Liver Transplantation Programme
A liver transplantation programme is being established in the department, led by a surgeon trained in living and deceased donor liver transplantation in India and the United Kingdom. In the meantime, the department offers: Specialist assessment of patients with cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease and liver cancer Counselling of patients and families on liver transplantation Coordinated referral and work-up for transplantation Follow-up care for patients after liver transplantation
Organ Retrieval & Organ Perfusion
The department brings experience in multi-organ retrieval, donor management and advanced organ preservation, including normothermic regional perfusion and ex vivo machine perfusion, gained in leading UK transplant programs.
Multidisciplinary Care
The GI & HPB team works closely with Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Interventional Radiology, Endoscopy, Medical and Radiation Oncology, Anaesthesia, Critical Care, Nephrology, Pathology, Nutrition and Physiotherapy. This integrated approach supports patients from first consultation and diagnosis through surgery, recovery and long-term follow-up.
When to Seek Surgical Gastroenterology Care
Patients should seek assessment for symptoms such as persistent abdominal pain, jaundice, difficulty swallowing, vomiting blood or passing blood in the stools, black stools, unexplained weight loss, a change in bowel habit, a lump or swelling in the abdomen or groin, or recurrent pain after meals. Patients with liver cirrhosis, a liver or pancreatic mass on scans, or gallstones causing symptoms should also be referred for specialist opinion. Sudden severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, a swollen tender abdomen, or fever with jaundice need prompt medical attention. The Department of GI, HPB Surgery & Liver Transplantation at KIMS Hospitals, Thrissur aims to provide complete surgical care for digestive, liver and pancreatic disease under one team, with emphasis on safe surgery, minimally invasive techniques, faster recovery and long-term quality of life.
