𝐇𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲:

Hepatology is a division of medication concerned with the study, anticipation, analysis as well management of diseases that affect the liver, gallbladder, biliary tree and pancreas. The term hepatology is derivative from the Greek words “hepatikos” and “logia,” which mean liver and study, separately.

Hepatitis affects millions of persons across the world and is related with several poor outcomes including liver transplant and liver cancer. In particular, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are major reasons of liver cancer, while alcohol abuse has been linked to conditions for example cirrhosis and other serious complications. The conditions hepatologists pact with most regularly are viral hepatitis and alcohol-related liver disease.

About the Department

According to Dr. S. Ganesh Gastroenterology specialist, Hepatology is a place in the field of Gastroenterology (GI) with fast advances from basic science to bedside. It is quickly developing as a specialised field for care of wide spectrum of liver disease ranging from critical hepatitis to serious liver failure to end-stage liver disease. In recent times, around, 80% of appointments to the GI unit are for liver disease. Also,about two-thirds of admissions in the GI unit are for liver disease especially cirrhosis liver and its problems.Patients with liver disease are a special cohort, who necessity special attention and proficiency in management. In Chennai, there is an increasing burden of liver disease with a wide spectrum ranging from acute hepatitis, acute liver failure, acute-on-chronic liver failure along with end stage liver disease. These patients are hemo dynamically unstable and need intensive care management, failure to do so is probable to result in poor outcome. The common reason for chronic liver disease is alcohol followed by Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C virus infection and Fatty Liver Sickness. These patients ultimately end up in liver cirrhosis liver cancer and other cirrhosis connected complications most of which are life threatening.

Common Liver disease that needs expert attention and management

Pediatric liver disease (particularly metabolic liver disease and cholestatic jaundice)
Acute liver Failure
Acute-on-chronic liver failure
Cirrhosis liver with its related complications (bleed, kidney dysfunction, fluid accumulation, altered sensorium)
Prolonged jaundice