Liver, Pancreas & Gallbladder Surgeon in Melbourne
I provide specialist surgery for liver, pancreatic, biliary and gallbladder conditions, using robotic, minimally invasive and open approaches as appropriate. For selected patients, robotic and minimally invasive surgery can offer smaller incisions and may support a faster recovery, while maintaining the principles of safe, high-quality surgery. The most appropriate approach is individually determined based on each patient’s condition, tumour characteristics and overall health.
Our recent research presented two complementary studies examining the evolving role of minimally invasive liver surgery in Australia, including laparoscopic and robotic liver resection.
This study reports our early Australian experience with robotic liver surgery and demonstrates its application to increasingly complex liver resections.
Among 26 robotic liver resections, half were major hepatectomies and 62% were classified as advanced or expert-level procedures according to the IWATE difficulty score. The median patient age was 70 years, and almost one-quarter had underlying cirrhosis. Median blood loss was 200 mL, with no mortality within 90 days.
Importantly, this experience demonstrates that robotic liver surgery is not limited to small or straightforward liver resections. The platform was used for major and technically demanding procedures in patients who were often older or had significant underlying liver disease.
These early results support the safe introduction of robotic hepatectomy within experienced specialist HPB teams and provide further evidence for the development of robotic liver surgery in Australia.
A second study examined the broader development of minimally invasive liver surgery across two specialist Melbourne HPB units.
Fifty-seven minimally invasive liver resections were evaluated, comprising 25 robotic and 32 laparoscopic procedures. Robotic surgery was used for significantly more technically complex operations, with a median IWATE difficulty score of 8 compared with 4 for laparoscopic surgery.
Despite this difference in operative complexity, major postoperative morbidity was similar between the robotic and laparoscopic groups.
The findings illustrate an important evolution in minimally invasive liver surgery. Laparoscopic surgery remains an established and effective approach for many liver resections, while robotic technology may enable minimally invasive techniques to be extended to selected patients requiring more complex liver surgery.
Together, these studies reflect the continuing development of minimally invasive liver surgery in Melbourne.
Rather than viewing laparoscopic and robotic surgery as competing techniques, our experience suggests that they can be complementary. Laparoscopy provides an established minimally invasive approach for many liver operations, while the additional dexterity, precision and visualisation of the robotic platform may facilitate minimally invasive surgery for increasingly complex procedures.
The objective is not simply to perform surgery robotically, but to expand the range of patients who may safely benefit from a minimally invasive approach while maintaining the principles of high-quality liver surgery.
HP026P — Robotic Hepatectomy in Australia: First Case Series Following Introduction of Robotic Liver Surgery.
Tai J, Furtado R, Choi J, Daruwalla J, Nikfarjam M, Yoshino O.
HP020P — Minimally Invasive Liver Resection: Peri-Operative Outcomes From Two Specialist Units.
Sanelli A, Wang J, Tai J, et al., Yoshino O.
Published in the ANZ Journal of Surgery, 2026;96(Suppl 1).
Trained in Australia, Japan, and the United States, Dr. Osamu is a general surgeon with subspecialty expertise in hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) and robotic surgery. He currently works as a consultant at Austin Hospital, Warringal Private, and Epworth Richmond. As one of the few specialists in the Asia-Pacific region, Dr. Osamu offers fully minimally invasive techniques for complex liver surgery, pancreatic surgery, and gallbladder surgery. He is committed to clear, compassionate communication to ensure patients feel informed, supported, and confident throughout their care. With extensive experience across high-volume tertiary centres, Dr. Osamu combines advanced surgical technology with meticulous operative technique to achieve optimal outcomes while minimizing recovery time. His approach prioritizes evidence-based care, multidisciplinary collaboration, and tailored treatment plans that reflect each patient’s individual condition, goals, and circumstances.
At LPB Surgery, we specialize in advanced surgical solutions, including gallbladder surgery, liver surgery, and pancreatic surgery. Our team is dedicated to providing the highest quality care using the latest techniques, such as robotic surgery, to ensure optimal outcomes for our patients. Trust us to guide you through your surgical journey with expertise and compassion.
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