HCG completes auto liver transplant on hepatocellular carcinoma patient

BENGALURU: HealthCare Global Enterprises Ltd (HCG), the cancer care specialist, has successfully performed auto liver transplantation, an operation medically referred to as ex-vivo liver resection. The hospital has confirmed that such a procedure has been performed for the first time in Karnataka.

HCG is South Asia’s largest cancer care network and has over 25 cancer centers in the country. The hospitals provide cancer care treatment, imaging and laboratory services, clinical trials and research services. It aims to make high quality cancer care accessible by adopting global innovations.

The patient in the news, 64-year-old Thimme Gowda, was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma and was referred to HCG. Dr. Sanjay Govil, Liver Transplant Surgeon, HCG said that the tumour was positioned at a site where it partially obstructed all three Hepatic veins that carried blood out of the liver towards the heart.

He explained that the treatment approach used in this case is called 'Ex-vivo' resection literally meaning 'out of body' and the procedure is also called 'Bench Surgery’ because it is done on the bench next to the patient. This process is an 'Auto-transplantation' which means that the patient’s own healthy liver is transplanted back into his body.

The patient’s liver function is very good postoperatively and he is recovering slowly, Dr Govil added.