3 min readMumbaiUpdated: Jan 20, 2026 08:54 PM IST
Surgeons removed approximately 70–80 per cent of the cancer-affected tissue and reconstructed the remaining healthy liver segment before autotransplanting it back into the child.
Doctors at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children in Parel have performed an ex-situ liver surgery with autotransplantation on a two-year-old girl diagnosed with advanced liver cancer, which the hospital claimed to be the first its kind in India.
The child, Aphsa, was diagnosed with a locally advanced hepatoblastoma after her mother noticed abdominal swelling. Initial chemotherapy led to partial tumour shrinkage, but the cancer continued to obstruct major blood vessels, making standard surgical removal unsafe.
“Despite shrinkage with chemotherapy, the tumour still completely obstructed blood outflow from the liver, necessitating total liver removal and extensive vessel reconstructions, not possible by standard surgical approaches,” said Dr Abhishek Mathur, Chief of the Division of Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Surgery at the hospital.
Liver transplantation was considered the preferred treatment option, but no living or deceased donor organ was available during the critical window following chemotherapy. Doctors then opted for an ex-situ surgical approach.
In ex-situ liver surgery, the organ is temporarily removed from the body, operated on externally to remove cancer-affected tissue, and then returned to the patient. This approach allows surgeons to reconstruct major blood vessels and ensure complete tumour removal, which may not be possible with conventional surgery.
During the 14-hour procedure conducted on December 12, 2025 , Aphsa’s entire liver, reported to weigh around 500 grams, was removed and preserved outside the body for 4.5 hours using an oxygenated hypothermic machine perfusion system.
Surgeons removed approximately 70–80 per cent of the cancer-affected tissue and reconstructed the remaining healthy liver segment before autotransplanting it back into the child.
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“This rare ex-situ surgical technique involves removal of the entire liver, followed by cooling and preservation of the organ outside the body. This approach gives access to remove the tumour-affected liver and perform a meticulous reconstruction of the blood vessels,” Dr Mathur said.
Two teams of surgeons worked simultaneously during the operation. “While one team removed the tumour and reconstructed the healthy liver on the hypothermic machine, the other team performed a complex reconstruction of the major blood vessels inside the child’s body,” said Prof Darius Mirza, Professor of Surgery and mentor to the hospital’s liver transplant division.
Naresh S is a Trainee Correspondent with The Indian Express, based out of Mumbai. A graduate of Xavier’s Institute of Communication (XIC), he has an avid interest in civic issues and policy-related domains. At present, he reports on the transport sector, covering suburban railways, BEST bus serives and aviation with a propensity for in-depth analyses and researched-focused reportage.
Core Coverage Areas:
Naresh reports on Mumbai’s urban mobility and public systems, with a focus on transport infrastructure, commuter safety, and policy execution. His reporting is research-driven and data-backed, aimed at explaining how large public systems function or fail, for everyday commuters.
Transport (Primary Beat):
His main beat is transport, covering Mumbai’s suburban railways and BEST bus services. His reportage in this domain spans detailed coverage of events like the Mumbra train accident and its safety implications, as well as follow-up reporting on long-standing gaps such as the delayed implementation of automatic doors on Mumbai local trains. He also tracks infrastructure projects, operational disruptions, and policy decisions affecting daily commuters, often through explainer-style stories.
Aviation (Secondary Beat):
Naresh also covers aviation and airport infrastructure, including reporting on the Navi Mumbai International Airport project. His aviation coverage has included the IndiGo flight disruptions in December 2025, focusing on passenger impact, regulatory response, and systemic issues within civil aviation operations. ... Read More
