Investigative Modalities and Management of Rare Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Surgical Conditions

Abstract

The surgical specialty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) surgery was pioneered in the early 1950s and stems from the specialty of General and Gastrointestinal surgery.1Since its establishment, the specialty has enforced its role in managing both benign and malignant conditions of the liver, pancreas and biliary systems. As with many other specialties, there has been rapid growth in surgical technology, available imaging and operative equipment, with particular focus on minimally invasive methods for the patient over the past three decades. The research described in this Master of Surgery Thesis is presented as three sub-projects. The concepts of these studies were developed in response to three clinical situations I faced as a resident working in a high volume tertiary HPB Surgical Unit. Furthermore, when faced with each of these challenging clinical scenarios, I found it difficult to obtain clear, succinct and clinically relevant information to guide an evidence-based approach to patient care. Following extensive discussion with my surgical mentors, we formulated three research topics with a clear research plan to better guide others who may be faced with a similar scenario.