Anatomical variation when performing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) is one of the most common operations performed worldwide. Because it is routine, there is a tendency to view it as “simple.” However, as an HPB surgeon, I often remind my trainees and my patients of a crucial fact: while the procedure is standardized, the anatomy is not. Every human body […]
Understanding Pain and Numbness After Inguinal Hernia Repair: What to Expect
As a surgeon who performs a high volume of both laparoscopic (keyhole) and open inguinal hernia repairs, the most common question I hear isn’t about the mesh or the stitches—it is about how the recovery feels. While hernia repair is one of the most common and successful surgeries performed worldwide, the groin is a complex […]
Navigating the Intricacies: How Anatomical Variations impact Major Hepatectomy
As experienced hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgeons, we know that no two livers are exactly alike. While the general structure of the liver is consistent, the detailed vascular and biliary anatomy is subject to significant variations that impact the complexity and safety of a major hepatectomy. Planning for liver surgery is a highly personalized, critical step that […]
Choosing the Right Mesh for Your Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair
As an experienced hernia surgeon, one of the most important decisions I make during your laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is selecting the appropriate surgical mesh. The mesh acts as a scaffold to reinforce the weakened abdominal wall, helping to prevent the hernia from returning. Mesh Material and Weight Mesh is typically made from a synthetic […]
Minimally Invasive Pancreas Surgery: A National Success Story—Why Surgeon Experience Matters
If you or a loved one faces surgery to remove the body or tail of the pancreas—a procedure known as a distal pancreatectomy—you may be a candidate for the modern, minimally invasive “keyhole” technique (Minimally Invasive Distal Pancreatectomy, or MIDP). This approach, which includes laparoscopic and robotic surgery, is strongly recommended for its patient benefits: […]
Royal New Zealand College of GPs Annual CME day
Dr Srinivasa was recently invited to speak at the Annual Continuing Medical Education (CME) day of the Royal New Zealand College of GPs (RCNZGP). This event was attended by over 300 GPs in Auckland. He spoke on the assessment and treatment of inguinal hernias and gave a second talk on diseases of the gallbladder such […]
Still Feeling Pain After Gallbladder Surgery? The Remnant Cystic Duct
Having a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) is meant to eliminate painful gallstones. So it can be confusing and frustrating if a patient’s symptoms—like severe pain, nausea, or indigestion—persist or return. When this happens, the cause may be related to the remnant cystic duct. What Is the Remnant Cystic Duct? The cystic duct is the small tube […]
HPB Surgery in the Pacific
I recently completed a charitable trip to the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital in Suva, Fiji. It was a humbling and educational experience and a chance to reconnect with some old and new colleagues. The visit was part of an ongoing collaboration between the Dept. of Surgery at North Shore Hospital and CWM with an […]
Beyond the 2D scan: A surgeon’s case for 3D liver reconstruction
For experienced liver surgeons, the ability to visualize complex anatomy is a deeply ingrained skill. Yet, relying on traditional 2D scans for preoperative planning in complex liver resections leaves too much to chance. The human liver’s intricate vascular and segmental anatomy varies significantly from patient to patient, and a complex resection demands a detailed understanding […]
Understanding Recurrence After Inguinal Hernia Surgery
For patients undergoing inguinal hernia surgery, a primary goal is to achieve the best possible long-term outcome and return to normal life without lingering concerns. While the vast majority of inguinal hernia repairs are successful, it’s important for patients to understand a potential, though uncommon, complication: recurrence. What is an Inguinal Hernia and Its Repair? […]