Abdominal Surgery at UPMC
At UPMC, our doctors specialise in the surgical treatment of hepatobiliary, pancreatic, intestinal and other diseases, benign or oncological, of the abdominal system.
Our Abdominal Surgery Unit is made up of a multidisciplinary team of specialists. This allows us to plan your treatment thoroughly, from pre-admission diagnostic tests to the preparation and procedure of the surgery, and post-operative convalescence at UPMC.
Book an Appointment
At UPMC, you can receive a consultation and undergo abdominal surgery at the following Center:
What Is Abdominal Surgery?
Abdominal surgery is the branch of surgery that includes all operating procedures on tissues and organs of the abdominal cavity. Surgery may become necessary in the case of infections, tumors, and inflammatory diseases.
At UPMC, we specialize in the treatment of various diseases and conditions of the abdominal area including:
- Diagnosis and treatment of hepatobiliary diseases: We offer comprehensive diagnostic procedures (invasive and non-invasive) to identify benign and malignant diseases of the liver and biliary tract. We care for you through all phases of treatment, from interventional radiology to surgical endoscopy, up to laparoscopic procedures and traditional surgery.
- Diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases: In the case of a diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancer, we intervene with oncological surgical procedures.
- Diagnosis and treatment of kidney and urological diseases: We diagnose and treat benign and malignant pathologies of the kidneys and ureter.
Abdominal Surgery Procedures and Services at UPMC
Traditional surgeries of this nature were called "open-air," due to the scale of the incisions that are made on the patient's body. However, at UPMC, we practice advanced abdominal surgery procedures that allow us to operate with minimal incisions. With this approach, post-operative recovery times are also accelerated.
;In the field of hepatobiliary diseases, our surgical procedures include:
- Interventional Radiology (RI): Minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedure. The imaging method used during surgery, such as fluoroscopy, computed tomography, and ultrasound, allows us to operate with minimal invasiveness. The images, in fact, guide the hand of the specialist, who only needs small incisions to operate the surgical instruments. Diagnostic RI includes, for example, a biopsy of cancer cells. Therapeutic RI instead includes the placement of catheters in the biliary system to circumvent any obstructions and cholecystectomy.
- Laparoscopic surgery (CL): This surgery takes its name from the instrument used to practice it, the laparoscope, a narrow probe equipped at the end with a small camera and a light. The laparoscope is introduced into the body via a small incision of about one centimeter. It guides the surgeon during the surgery, which is practiced by passing the instruments through small catheters inserted into the abdomen. We use CL, for example, in cases of cirrhosis of the liver and for liver resections.
- Endoscopic surgery (Endoscopy). A technique that allows surgeons to operate on the internal organs in a minimally invasive way, using an optical instrument similar to the laparoscope. That is, the endoscope. In this way, we are able to intervene surgically without the need to subject the patient to a traditional surgical operation. Unlike laparoscopy, endoscopy does not require incisions: the probe penetrates through the orifices of the body. In addition, during endoscopy, the patient remains conscious.
Also, in the field of gastrointestinal diseases, we make extensive use of laparoscopic surgery. This type of surgical procedure allows us to perform very conservative interventions. A patient's recovery will take longer than traditional surgery and will have smaller scars. In other words, they can return to normal daily activities sooner.
As for kidney and urological diseases, the latest generation of minimally invasive surgical techniques that we have introduced in our centre include:
- Percutaneous thermoablation: A technique that involves the introduction of one or more electrodes inside the tumor mass. The electrodes are inserted through the skin thanks to the use of special needles. And the specialist monitors the operation with imaging methodologies (such as CT scans or X-rays). Once in place, the electrodes generate heat or cold, destroying the cancerous tissue.
- Laparoscopic nephrectomy. Nephrectomy is the partial or total removal of a kidney (unilateral) or both (bilateral). With the use of laparoscopy, we practice the intervention without the need to open the abdominal cavity.
Conditions We Treat
At UPMC, our doctors specialize in the surgical and/or endoscopic-interventional treatment of oncological diseases that can affect the liver, biliary tract, pancreas, and kidneys.
They also deal with the surgical and / or endoscopic-interventional treatment of non-oncological pathologies of fegato, biliary tract and pancreas and liver trauma.
Why Choose UPMC For Abdominal Surgery Services?
Our services are for those who need surgical treatment and not for those with conditions affecting the abdominal organs, including oncological pathologies.
Our team of doctors will be at your side during the entire diagnosis and therapy process, in collaboration with experts in various specializations. In fact, if necessary, they will make use of the contribution of colleagues specialized in anesthesiology, oncology, endoscopy, gastroenterology and hepatology. Within UPMC, our team also has access to the advice of cardiologists, neurologists, pulmonologists and doctors with expertise in infectious diseases, nutrition, and psychology.
