Surgery for other conditions when you have cirrhosis

Cirrhosis and surgery risks

All operations have risks and benefits. These need to be weighed up to decide if the operation is the best thing for you.

Cirrhosis can have complications that increase the risks:

• A low platelet count (thrombocytopaenia)

This can mean that you bleed more than normal.

• Portal hypertension

This can cause problems that affect bleeding and wound healing.

You can have these complications even if you feel well. So you may need tests to check on them before your operation.

Your surgeon or anaesthetist should speak to the doctor looking after your liver disease. They should work together to understand your condition and how it could affect the operation.

They should talk to you about your risks and benefits and answer any questions you have so that you can decide if you want to have the surgery.

You can find some suggested questions at the end of this page.

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Can I have surgery if I have cirrhosis?

If your cirrhosis is compensated and the operation is straight forward, then it can probably go ahead as normal.

If you have a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia) you might need to take some medicine before your operation.

Find out more about thrombocytopenia and how it is treated here.

In some cases you might need to have your operation in a hospital that also has a specialist liver team. For example if you:

• need a very big or complicated operation
• have decompensated cirrhosis
• have ascites or portal hypertension

You may be referred to a hospital that often does your operation for people with cirrhosis. This will allow specialist liver surgeons to help your surgical team perform the operation safely. And will mean specialist liver doctors can keep an eye on you after the operation.

If your liver condition is very severe you might not be able to have an operation. But there could be other ways to manage your symptoms or condition.

If you are waiting for a liver transplant, your other surgery might be done at the same time as the transplant or after you have recovered from it.

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Questions to ask your medical team

• Why do you think I should have this operation?
• What are the risks of having this operation?
• How does my cirrhosis change those risks?
• What are the risks of not having the operation?
• Should I have my operation at a hospital with a specialist liver team?
• Are there any other options to treat or manage my condition?

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Special thanks

We would like to thank  Dr Charlotte Woodhouse, Consultant Hepatologist, King’s College Hospital, for her help with this information

Published: March 2025