The human liver is a vital organ responsible for various essential bodily functions, from detoxification to metabolic processes. However, liver diseases can pose a significant threat to one’s health and well-being. Although symptoms of liver disease are not always obvious, yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice), abdominal pain and swelling are major indicators.
In India, liver diseases are prevalent, with 18.3% of cases globally.
Fortunately, the medical landscape in India boasts a number of exceptional hospitals dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and care of liver disorders.
The best hepatology hospitals in India are equipped with modern equipment to treat liver disorders and perform transplant surgery if required. These hospitals are capable of treating end-stage liver disease (liver cirrhosis), unresectable liver tumors, or metabolic liver disease. In both benign and malignant diseases, complex hepatobiliary surgery is performed either through a laparoscopic or open approach. Whether it’s viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, or any other liver ailment, timely intervention at one of these top hospitals can make a significant difference in one’s health and quality of life.
Table of Contents
What Conditions do Hepatologists in India treat?
Hepatologists primarily treat liver diseases, including:
- Hepatitis infections
- Fatty liver disease
- Jaundice
- Metabolic liver diseases
- Cirrhosis
- Liver cancer
Hepatologists may also help treat other conditions that impact the hepatic system, such as:
- Pancreatitis
- Gallstones
- Pancreatic cancer
- Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis)
- Bile duct stones (choledocholithiasis)
- Bile duct cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
- Bile duct adenomas (noncancerous tumors)
What are Some of the Latest Techniques and Technologies Hepatologists Use in Indian Hospitals?
Here are some of the latest techniques and technologies commonly used by the best hepatology hospitals in India:
- FibroScan (Transient elastography): It is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that assesses liver fibrosis and stiffness. It helps hepatologists evaluate the degree of liver damage without the need for a traditional liver biopsy.
- Advanced Imaging Modalities: Hepatologists rely on advanced imaging techniques such as MRE and MRI with hepatobiliary contrast agents to obtain detailed liver images and assess their health.
- Liver Elastography: This non-invasive method uses ultrasound or MRI to measure liver stiffness, providing valuable information about fibrosis and cirrhosis.
- Multiparametric MRI: Multiparametric MRI combines multiple imaging sequences to provide comprehensive information about liver lesions, aiding in diagnosing liver tumors and monitoring their response to treatment.
- Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS): CEUS uses contrast agents to improve the visualization of liver lesions and blood flow within the liver, aiding in diagnosing liver tumors and vascular abnormalities.
- Liver Biopsy Alternatives: While traditional liver biopsies are still used when necessary, hepatologists increasingly employ non-invasive alternatives such as fibroscopy-guided or image-guided biopsy for more accurate and safer tissue sampling.
- Advanced Endoscopic Procedures: Hepatologists may perform advanced endoscopic procedures to diagnose/treat conditions affecting the bile ducts and pancreas in cases where liver and biliary tract issues overlap.
- Genetic Testing: Genetic testing and genotyping are used to identify specific gene mutations and genetic risk factors associated with liver diseases, enabling more personalized treatment approaches.
- Liver Transplantation Innovations: Hepatologists utilize cutting-edge techniques in liver transplantation, including split-liver transplantation, living-donor transplantation, and advanced immunosuppressive therapies.
- Viral Hepatitis Therapies: Direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) have revolutionized the treatment of hepatitis B and C, providing highly effective therapies with minimal side effects. Hepatologists in Austria are at the forefront of these treatments.
- Tumor Ablation Techniques: For patients with liver tumors, hepatologists may perform minimally invasive procedures such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), or irreversible electroporation (IRE) to destroy cancerous tissue.
- Immunotherapy: Hepatologists also work with oncologists to provide advanced immunotherapies and targeted therapies to treat hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Telemedicine: Hepatologists consult with patients remotely and review test results via telemedicine platforms. This helps provide ongoing monitoring for chronic liver conditions, thus improving access to care and patient follow-up.
The medical facilities available at Indian hospitals for liver treatment are so advanced that international patients also prefer to undergo liver treatment in India.
Which are the Best Hepatology Hospitals in India?
Some of the best hepatology hospitals in India are mentioned in detail below:
Dr. Rela Institute and Medical Centre, Chennai
- Rela Institute of Liver Disease & Transplantation (RILDT) is the largest liver center in India and the largest pediatric liver Transplant center in the world.
- They performed India’s youngest successful liver transplantation on a 1-month-old baby.
- The team of doctors and surgeons have established some of the ‘firsts’ as their career achievements:
- First pediatric auxiliary liver transplant in Asia
- First hospital in South Asia to perform pediatric auxiliary liver transplant
- First successful split & auxiliary liver transplant surgery in Chennai as well as the whole of India
- First swap liver transplant on adults in India
Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai
- It was the first Indian hospital to be awarded the IS0 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications.
- The Liver Intensive Care Unit in Apollo Hospitals is an advanced critical care unit dedicated to the post-operative management of liver transplant recipients and the management of patients with liver failure.
- The hospital is a regional referral center for Hepatobiliary and pancreatic disorders and liver trauma.
MIOT International, Chennai
- Established in 1999, MIOT International Hospital is a multi-specialty hospital accredited with NABL and NABH.
- It is the first hospital in India to have a 750 HD CT scan with dual-energy imaging.
- The hospital has dedicated facilities for this complex procedure, including dedicated post-operative HEPA-filtered ICUs, as well as modalities for advanced imaging, radiology, and laboratory studies, and a dynamic transfusion medicine department.
Manipal Hospital (Old Airport Road) Bangalore
- Accredited by NABH and NABL, the hospital is the third largest healthcare network in India.
- The team specializes in resectioning tumors and eliminating diseases affecting the Hepatobiliary system of the body by using state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical equipment.
- The HEPA-filtered rooms offer a sterile environment for safer transplants.
- The surgical treatments performed at the hospital include the Whipple procedure to remove the distal (lower stomach), Anti-reflux surgery, Cholecystectomy, Pancreatectomy, Resectioning and/or reconstruction of the bile duct, Liver resectioning, Liver Transplant, etc.
The healthcare landscape is evolving rapidly, and the best hepatology hospitals in India are at the forefront of this transformation. The best hepatology hospitals in India provide not only advanced medical treatments but also a compassionate and patient-centric approach to care. From liver transplants to advanced diagnostics and personalized treatment plans, these hospitals offer hope and healing to countless individuals affected by liver diseases.
