Centre

History

The Center was born from a 2017 Federico II University project for the creation of a center of excellence in the field of liver, pancreas and biliary tract surgery, in order to increase the regional offer given the important passive mobility , officially inaugurated in January 2020. To this end, Professor Roberto Ivan Troisi, former Director of the Division of Hepato-Bilio-Pancreatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation in Ghent (Ghent, Belgium) and of the Department of HPB and Transplant Surgery at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). This choice made it possible to transfer the important experience in the field of advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery of the liver, pancreas and biliary tract as well as the robotic approach to kidney donation from a living donor and to rapidly implement innovative technologies in Naples such as: intraoperative augmented reality , infrared fluorescence for the recognition of liver tumors and biliary and vascular alterations as well as new protocols for postoperative functional recovery.

These innovations have required significant investments by the University, the Hospital and the Campania Region aimed at improving the quality of care for patients for the treatment of highly specialized pathologies.

Technology

Innovative technologies to assist the surgeon are the main feature of this Center. They range from the use of the most advanced laparoscopic surgery instrumentation in 3D, 4K and indocyanine green fluorescence or ultrasonic dissectors to the use of software for three-dimensional reconstructions and intraoperative holograms for the most complex cases. The use of intraoperative fluorescence, a particularly useful technology for the surgery of liver tumors (primarily hepatocellular carcinoma but also cholangiocarcinomas and colorectal metastases) and for all types of complex resections which take advantage of the so-called augmented reality before and during intervention represents the most important clinical application for patient-oriented precision surgery. The surgical instruments are of the latest generation, allowing the best surgical strategy based on the type of computer-programmed operation. From March 2022, renal transplantation activities will make use of the use of 3 cold perfusion machines (Machine Perfusion) in particular cases with the aim of optimizing the quality and logistics of transplants as well as allowing the successful use of marginal organs (e.g. those from donors over the age of 60). Very recently, during the transplant itself, intraoperative flowmetry (Transit Time Flow Measurements) has been used which uses probes of different calibers capable of diagnosing any technical defects or vascular anatomical anomalies, conditions which could compromise the functionality of the organ in the short term if not corrected promptly. Lastly, 2 of the 4 digitalized and integrated operating rooms allow the combined execution of laparoscopic and endoscopic operations in a single anesthetic session.

The Center also has the Da Vinci Xi Robotic system, the most recent model currently in use for performing specific operations on the liver, pancreas and biliary tract. Hepato-Bilio-Pancreatic and General Surgery operations make use of a dedicated Da Vinci Xi machine 6 days a week.

Another specialization of the Center is the combined treatment of other pathologies in a single anesthetic session which makes use of cooperation with other specialist branches such as Gynaecology, Urology, Digestive System and Breast Surgery.

The digital transmission of images in our multimedia rooms allows not only university teaching but also direct comparison with other specialists in the sector.

Division

The new department, located on the 5th floor of building VI, completely renovated in 2020, consists of 22 hospital beds, 8 of which are for day-hospital and intramural activities. The kidney transplant wards are located respectively on the 4th floor and the ground floor of building V which also houses dialysis and transplant nephrology.

Operating Room

On the 1st floor of building VI we have two new completely digitalized and integrated operating rooms to allow combined endoscopic/laparoscopic interventions. The robotic room has been located in the operating complex of building VII on the ground floor since January 2023 with two other digitalized rooms; kidney transplants are instead performed at the dedicated operating complex in building V.

Intensive Care

The new Post-Operative Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is located on the ground floor of the lower building adjacent to building VI. It has dedicated paths to welcome patients at the end of surgical operations requiring close monitoring.

Outpatient Clinic

The rooms used for pre- and post-operative assessments and checks (n = 2) are located on the ground floor of building VI with access via CUP reservations and on the 4th floor of building V (n =1), or at the following number: 081.7462844 .