About Us
A Multidisciplinary Centre for Advanced Liver Disease
The Liver Centre South Africa brings together hepatobiliary and transplant surgeons, hepatologists, gastroenterologists, and interventional radiologists to deliver world-class, multidisciplinary care for patients with liver disease.
Our team works across both public and private healthcare sectors, ensuring that advanced liver care - including transplantation, complex interventions, and minimally invasive therapies - is available to all South Africans. Our mission is to deliver world-class, multidisciplinary care for patients with liver disease - from diagnosis to complex intervention and transplant.
Model of Care
Uniting Public, Private, and Academic Excellence to Deliver Better Liver Care
We operate through a unique partnership between Cape Town Interventional Radiology (CTIR), academic units at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town, and collaborating private institutions across the country.
This integration allows us to combine:
The high patient volumes and clinical diversity of the public sector.
The advanced technology and efficiency of the private sector.
The academic excellence and training infrastructure of South Africa’s leading teaching hospitals.
Services
Multidisciplinary Liver Services Under One Roof
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Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Liver resections, complex biliary disease, colorectal liver metastatic disease, bile duct reconstructions, management of cholangiocarcinoma, cystic lesions, and trauma.
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Advanced endoscopy, ERCP, EUS-guided interventions.
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GI bleeding management, variceal therapy, and tumour surveillance.
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Comprehensive management of Hepatocellular carcinoma with weekly multi-disciplinary meetings. The leading unit of expertise in this disease in South Africa.
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Transplant Surgery
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Comprehensive Liver Transplant Program
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Live donor and deceased donor programs.
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Coordination with IR and hepatology for pre- and post-transplant management.
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Split-liver and re-transplant procedures.
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Multivisceral and domino transplantation (where applicable).
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Post-transplant surgical revision and revascularization.
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Hepatology
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Hepatology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts.
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Conditions treated include: Viral hepatitis (A–E), fatty liver disease (NAFLD, MASLD, NASH), alcohol-related liver disease, Cirrhosis management, autoimmune liver diseases, Genetic/metabolic liver disorders (hemochromatosis, Wilson’s disease, A1AT deficiency), Liver cancer (HCC) and metastatic liver tumours, drug-induced liver injury, and acute liver failure and bile duct disorders.
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It is important to see a Hepatologist if you have abnormal liver blood tests, jaundice, abdominal swelling, ongoing fatigue or unexplained weight loss, require screening for chronic hepatitis or liver cancer, or need pre- or post-liver transplant care.
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Hepatologists also provide medical optimisation for surgical or interventional procedures and work within multidisciplinary teams to deliver comprehensive care.
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Gastroenterology
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Medical gastroenterology is the branch of medicine that focuses on the digestive system, including the esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
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It involves diagnosing and treating conditions such as reflux, ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, and digestive cancers - mainly using medications, lifestyle changes, and endoscopy (camera-based procedures).
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Advanced endoscopy, ERCP, EUS-guided interventions.
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GI bleeding management, variceal therapy, and tumour surveillance.
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Interventional Radiology
Interventional Radiology (IR) is a core pillar of the Liver Centre SA, complementing hepatology, surgery, and oncology. Using minimally invasive, image-guided techniques, Interventional Radiology plays a critical role in both diagnosis and treatment of complex liver conditions.
Include procedures such as:
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Management of Portal Hypertension:
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Balloon/Coil/Plug assisted retrograde transvenous obliteration (CARTO/BRTO/PARTO).
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Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS)
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Diagnostic: Plugged liver biopsies, transjugular liver biopsies, spyglass guided intra-biliary biopsies, portal pressure measurements, Venography and Portography.
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Percutaneous ultrasound and CT guided liver ablations.
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Trans Arterial Chemoembolization (TACE), and Trans Arterial Radioembolization or selective internal radiation therapy (TARE/SIRT).
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Portal Vein Embolization (PVE) and LVD liver venous deprivation for hypertrophy before resection.
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Biliary percutaneous ultrasound guided drainage and stenting.
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Management of Post-Transplant Complications: Hepatic artery stenosis, biliary leaks, abscess drainage, vascular thrombosis.