Liver Surgery in Ankara, Turkey

Liver surgery is the surgical removal of the diseased or tumorous part of the liver. This procedure is performed so that the remaining healthy portion can continue to function and to improve the patient’s quality of life.

Recovery after liver resection varies depending on the extent of surgery and the patient’s overall health. Regular follow-up, prevention of infection, and protection of liver function are especially important during this period.

Modern techniques used in liver surgery reduce the risk of bleeding and make the operation safer. Thanks to laparoscopic approaches, patients may recover faster and spend less time in the hospital.

In cases where a liver transplant is required, surgery is more extensive. Immunosuppressive therapies are used to support the recipient’s resilience and help the body accept the new organ, improving long-term success rates.

You can contact Prof. Dr. Ebru Soy, one of the doctors performing Liver Surgery in Ankara, to get information about Liver Surgery prices, the process, and the hospital where Liver Surgery is performed.

What Is Liver Surgery?

In its simplest form, liver surgery means removing a diseased part of the liver. However, behind this straightforward definition lies a highly detailed surgery based on liver anatomy. From the outside, the liver may look like one solid organ, but internally it can be compared to an orange divided into slices. In medicine, these “slices” are called segments, and the liver has 8 segments. Each segment has its own blood supply and bile ducts, meaning it functions as a semi-independent unit.

Thanks to this structure, surgeons can remove only a single segment, several segments, or an entire right or left lobe depending on the location and size of disease. The goal is to complete the surgery without compromising blood flow and function in the remaining healthy liver tissue.

The core principle is to remove the disease with clear margins, leaving no residual tissue behind. This is especially critical in cancer surgery. Success depends on both complete removal of the diseased tissue and leaving enough healthy liver behind to meet the body’s needs.

When Is Liver Surgery Performed?

The most common reason for liver surgery is cancer treatment. However, surgery may also be needed for certain benign (non-cancerous) conditions.

Malignant (Cancerous) Tumors

When cancer is involved, surgery may be the only treatment with curative potential. The main malignant conditions that may require surgery include:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)
• Colorectal cancer liver metastases
• Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer)
• Neuroendocrine tumor metastases

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and often develops on a background of cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis. If detected early, surgical removal of the tumor can be highly effective.

Colorectal cancer liver metastases occur when colon cancer spreads to the liver. If the disease is limited to the liver, surgically removing these metastases can offer a strong chance for long-term survival—one of the major success stories of modern liver surgery.

Benign Conditions

Even though they are not cancer, some benign masses may require surgery when they grow large, cause symptoms such as pain, or carry a risk of bleeding or malignant transformation. Examples include:

• Hepatic adenoma
• Giant hemangioma
• Symptomatic focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH)
• Complicated liver cysts (cystadenoma)
• Parasitic cysts (hydatid cyst)

For example, a hepatic adenoma may be removed when it reaches a large size due to bleeding risk or possible malignant change. A giant hemangioma is usually harmless but can cause pain or pressure when it becomes very large.

A Special Situation: Living-Donor Liver Transplantation

This is a highly specialized, life-saving form of liver surgery. It involves removing a portion of the liver (usually the right or left lobe) from a healthy, willing donor and transplanting it into a patient with end-stage liver failure.

Because the donor is a healthy individual, the highest safety standards are required. Both the donor’s remaining liver and the transplanted graft typically regenerate and reach near-normal size within a few months.

What Are the Risks of Liver Surgery?

Liver surgery is a major operation that requires advanced expertise and facilities. As with any major surgery, there are potential risks. However, modern surgical techniques, improved anesthesia, and detailed preoperative planning have significantly reduced these risks. Possible postoperative issues include:

• Liver failure
• Bile leakage
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Lung-related complications
• Blood clot formation in veins

Among these, the most serious is liver failure, meaning the remaining liver cannot meet the body’s metabolic demands. To reduce this risk, surgeons use advanced imaging to calculate the volume of liver that will remain after surgery. If the expected remaining liver volume is too small, additional measures may be taken to increase it before surgery.

Bile leakage is more common but often easier to manage. Bile may seep from the cut surface of the liver and is typically drained through surgical drains placed during the operation. In many cases, it resolves on its own over time.

How Is Liver Surgery Performed?

The success of liver surgery does not begin at the operating room door. It is the result of careful preparation and planning that starts from the first medical evaluation.

Preoperative Preparation and Planning

This process aims to optimize the patient both physically and functionally before surgery. General health is assessed, including heart, lung, and kidney function. Conditions such as diabetes or hypertension are brought under control. Nutritional status is critical for healing, so nutritional support may be provided if necessary.

Quitting smoking and alcohol at least 4 weeks before surgery can significantly reduce complication risk.

The most critical step is assessing whether the remaining liver will be sufficient. Using CT or MRI-based volumetry, surgeons estimate the functional liver volume that will remain after resection. If it is inadequate, a procedure such as Portal Vein Embolization (PVE) may be performed to encourage growth of the future liver remnant. This approach can make surgery safer and offers hope to patients who were previously considered inoperable.

Surgical Approaches

Today, liver operations can be performed using three main approaches. The best choice depends on tumor size and location, the patient’s condition, and the surgeon’s experience.

Open Surgery: The traditional method, performed through a larger incision in the upper right abdomen. It may still be preferred for very large tumors or tumors close to major vessels where wide exposure is necessary.

Laparoscopic Surgery (Minimally Invasive): Performed through several small (0.5–1 cm) incisions using a camera and specialized instruments. The surgeon operates while viewing a high-definition monitor. In suitable cases, it is widely considered the preferred approach due to many benefits:

• Less postoperative pain
• Less blood loss
• Shorter hospital stay
• Faster return to daily life
• Better cosmetic results

Robotic Surgery: An advanced form of minimally invasive surgery. The surgeon controls robotic arms from a console with magnified 3D visualization. The robotic instruments provide highly precise wrist-like movement and eliminate hand tremor, which can be especially beneficial for tumors in hard-to-reach posterior-superior liver segments.

Postoperative Period After Liver Surgery

The postoperative period is managed with modern approaches designed to support the fastest and safest possible recovery. These approaches are often grouped under ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery), which aims to reduce the body’s stress response to surgery.

Hospital stay depends on the size of surgery and the technique used. After open surgery, the stay may approach a week, while after minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) procedures it may shorten to about 3–5 days. During this time, core practices focus on comfort and safety:

• Effective pain control
• Starting nutrition as soon as safely possible
• Encouraging standing and walking from the first postoperative day
• Breathing exercises to support lung function
• Removing unnecessary catheters and drains as early as possible

Each step helps accelerate recovery, reduce complications, and support a faster return to normal life. Early mobilization lowers the risk of lung complications and blood clots, while early nutrition supports bowel function and immune strength.

What Should Patients Pay Attention to After Liver Surgery?

After discharge, recovery continues at home. Certain precautions are important to support liver regeneration and ensure full recovery.

General Recommendations

• Avoid heavy lifting for the period recommended by your doctor (often 4–6 weeks).
• Rest well in the first weeks, but avoid staying in bed all day.
• Increase activity gradually with short daily walks.
• Keep surgical wounds clean and dry; watch for infection signs (redness, discharge, fever).
• Do not take any medication—especially painkillers—without consulting your doctor.
• Do not miss follow-up appointments.

Nutrition Recommendations

Healthy, balanced nutrition is one of the strongest supports for liver regeneration:

• Avoid alcohol completely.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Consume protein-rich foods (meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes).
• Focus on fresh vegetables and fruits.
• Avoid processed, packaged, and overly fatty foods.
• Prefer small, frequent meals.

If your surgery was performed for cancer, discharge is not the end but the start of a structured follow-up period. Regular monitoring with blood tests and imaging is essential to detect recurrence early.

Recovery after liver surgery takes time and patience. Giving your body time, adopting healthier habits, and following your doctor’s guidance are the keys to completing this process successfully.