Some of the AdventHealth Digestive Institute's surgeons and gastroenterologists have deep experience in treating liver disease. Liver disease is a broad term that refers to anything that interferes with normal liver function. The liver literally does hundreds of things, including producing proteins essential for your blood, making the bile necessary for digestion, and metabolizing cholesterol and medications. The liver is so important to your body that it is the only organ that can regenerate itself.
Unfortunately, the liver can be damaged when it develops cirrhosis.
The three most common causes of cirrhosis are:
- Alcoholism – excessive alcohol consumption
- Infection – hepatitis B or hepatitis C
- Steatohepatitis – fatty liver caused by long-term obesity or metabolic syndrome
Once cirrhosis has developed, damage to the liver is irreversible. Cirrhosis significantly increases the chances of developing liver cancer. Also, the factor that has been leading to cirrhosis needs to be managed so that patients do not progress to liver failure.
Liver Disease Symptoms
When it is advanced, liver cirrhosis often causes:
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites)
- Jaundice (a yellow discoloration of the skin)
- Gastrointestinal bleeding (vomiting blood or having bloody bowel movements)
- Visible enlargement of veins in the abdominal wall
Treatment for Liver Disease
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the liver disease you have. There are many types of liver disease, which can also include liver cancers. Some cases of liver disease are detected when they are in early stages and others when they are severe. Because of this, some patients can be treated with medicine or outpatient procedures, while others will require surgery or a liver transplant.
Whatever your particular case of liver disease, there are great benefits to choosing the AdventHealth Digestive Institute for your care. Our gastroenterologists work hand in hand with liver surgeon Dr. Iswanto Sucandy and a hepatologist (liver specialist). This multidisciplinary team can make sure you receive the right level of care for your condition. Should your disease worsen and surgery become necessary, our surgeons are experienced in performing minimally invasive liver surgeries that result in faster recoveries with less pain.
Robotic Surgery for Liver Resection
Dr. Sucandy is one of the world’s only surgeons who currently offers robotic surgery for liver resection. This advanced approach means that liver surgeries that would otherwise require a large open incision can be performed with only a few small cuts the size of keyholes. When performed by an experienced liver surgeon, these minimally invasive operations result in better outcomes for the patient. With a faster recovery from surgery, the next stage of a patient’s treatment can begin sooner.
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