E-AHPBA - HPB Insights

Epizodes

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  Women in HPB Surgery Part 1: Women in Surgical Leadership 01.10.2026 27min

  This episode explores women, leadership, and the future of HPB surgery — and we’re joined by someone at the very heart of that conversation: Dr Isabella Frigerio, leading pancreatic surgeon from Italy and President‑Elect of the E‑AHPBA. Together, we delve into the challenges and opportunities for women in HPB, and move beyond gender to discuss mentorship, the qualities that define exceptional surgical leaders, and how we create meaningful opportunities for the next generation.   Guest Bio: Dr Isabella Frigerio is a leading pancreatic and HPB surgeon from Italy, and President Elect of the E-AHPBA. She is internationally recognized for her clinical and academic work in pancreatic surgery and is also a strong advocate for women in surgery and for greater diversity in surgical leadership, actively supporting initiatives that promote mentorship, visibility and opportunities for women within the surgical community.
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  Episode 3 - Challenging Decisions in Chronic Pancreatitis 26.08.2026 42min

  The management of chronic pancreatitis remains challenging, and while advances in endoscopy, imaging, and surgery have improved outcomes, it is harsh testimony that a total pancreatectomy, the earliest operation performed for CP back in 1946, is still a treatment option for a benign disease that was identified on autopsy more than 200 years ago. Today we are joined by Professor Ajith Siriwardena, head of HPB at Manchester University, Past President of the E-AHPBA and internationally recognised for his work in pancreatic surgery and chronic pancreatitis. We will discuss practical decision-making in chronic pancreatitis,  from medical therapy and pain management through to complex resections. Guest Bio:  Professor Ajith Siriwardena is a Professor of HPB Surgery at the University of Manchester and Consultant Hepatobiliary and General Surgeon at Manchester Royal Infirmary. Following training in Manchester and Edinburgh, he undertook advanced liver surgery training in Paris, and subsequently worked in Scotland’s national liver surgery unit before taking up his consultant position in Manchester in 1999. He has built an extensive academic and clinical career in HPB oncology, with particular expertise in liver and pancreatic surgery and colorectal liver metastases, alongside a substantial body of research spanning liver and pancreatic disease. He was appointed Professor of HPB Surgery at the University of Manchester in 2008 and was recognised with the Silver Scalpel award for surgical training in 2007. His career has also included significant contributions to surgical research, education and international HPB collaboration, and he currently serves as Past President of the E-AHPBA. References: Braganza J, Lee S, McCloy R et al. Chronic pancreatitis, The Lancet, 2011; 377, 1184-1197 Siriwardena AK, Mason JM, Balachandra S, Bagul A, Galloway S, Formela L, Hardman JG, Jamdar S. Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial of intravenous antioxidant (n-acetylcysteine, selenium, vitamin C) therapy in severe acute pancreatitis. Gut. 2007 Oct;56(10):1439-44. doi: 10.1136/gut.2006.115873. Epub 2007 Mar 13. PMID: 17356040; PMCID: PMC2000286. Bhardwaj P, Garg PK, Maulik SK, Saraya A, Tandon RK, Acharya SK. A randomized controlled trial of antioxidant supplementation for pain relief in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Gastroenterology. 2009 Jan;136(1):149-159.e2. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2008.09.028. Epub 2008 Sep 25. PMID: 18952082. Siriwardena AK, Windsor J, Zyromski N, Marchegiani G, Radenkovic D, Morgan C, Passas I, Olah A, Conlon KC, Smith M, Busch O, Baltatzis M, Besselink MG, Vollmer C, Castillo CF, Friess H, Garcea G, Burmeister S, Hackert T, Lillemoe KD, Schulick R, Shrikhande SV, Smith A, Gianotti L, Falconi M, Adams D, Adham M, Andersson R, Del Chiaro M, Devar J, Jegatheeswaran S, van Santvoort H, Khatkov I, Izbicki J, Büchler M, Neoptolemos JP, Bassi C, Dervenis C. Standards for reporting on surgery for chronic pancreatitis: a report from the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS). Surgery. 2020 Jul;168(1):101-105. doi: 10.1016/j.surg.2020.02.007. Epub 2020 Mar 14. PMID: 32183994. van Veldhuisen CL, Kempeneers MA, de Rijk FEM, et al. Long-Term Outcomes of Early Surgery vs Endoscopy First in Chronic Pancreatitis: Follow-Up Analysis of the ESCAPE Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Surg. 2025;160(2):126–133. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2024.5182 Di Sebastiano P, di Mola FF, Buchler MW, Friess H. Pathogenesis of pain in chronic pancreatitis. Dig Dis. 2004;22(3):267-72. doi: 10.1159/000082798. PMID: 15753609. Izbicki JR, Bloechle C, Broering DC, Kuechler T, Broelsch CE. Longitudinal V-shaped excision of the ventral pancreas for small duct disease in severe chronic pancreatitis: prospective evaluation of a new surgical procedure. Ann Surg. 1998 Feb;227(2):213-9. doi: 10.1097/00000658-199802000-00010. PMID: 9488519; PMCID: PMC1191238.
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  Episode 2 - Pancreas matters: Vascular reconstructions & emergencies in pancreatic surgery 22.07.2026 50min

  During this episode we turn our focus to one of the more demanding aspects of pancreatic surgery: vascular reconstructions and intra-operative emergencies. These are moments that test not only technical ability, but judgement, preparation, and teamwork. Knowing when and how to perform vascular reconstruction - and how to respond when things don’t go to plan, can be the difference between success and catastrophe. We’re joined by the esteemed Professor Shailesh Shrikhande, former deputy director of Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai and past president of the APHPBA.    Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction to episode 05:28 Early influences: Heidelberg 15:59 Vascular reconstruction training 20:52 Navigating the complexities of arterial reconstructions 26:16 Managing vascular emergencies 34:03 Technical challenges in surgery 40:28 SMA first approach 49:48 Closing thoughts and remarks   Professor Shailesh Shrikhande is a globally recognised hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) and gastrointestinal surgical oncologist based in Mumbai, India. He is Professor of Surgical Oncology, Head of the GI and HPB Surgical Service, and Deputy Director at the Tata Memorial Centre, and is the immediate past president of the APHPBA. Internationally renowned for his expertise in complex pancreatic and gastrointestinal cancer surgery, he has trained at the Universities of Heidelberg and Bern, was the first Asian recipient of the IHPBA Kenneth Warren Fellowship, and has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications while making significant contributions to global HPB education and training.   References: Shrikhande SV, Kleeff J, Büchler MW, Friess H. Pancreatic anastomosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy: how we do it. Indian J Surg. 2007 Dec;69(6):224-9. doi: 10.1007/s12262-007-0031-3. Epub 2008 Jan 28. PMID: 23132992; PMCID: PMC3452526. Shrikhande SV, Barreto SG, Bodhankar YD, Suradkar K, Shetty G, Hawaldar R, Goel M, Shukla PJ. Superior mesenteric artery first combined with uncinate process approach versus uncinate process first approach in pancreatoduodenectomy: a comparative study evaluating perioperative outcomes. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2011 Dec;396(8):1205-12. doi: 10.1007/s00423-011-0824-5. Epub 2011 Jul 8. PMID: 21739303. Sanjay, P., Takaori, K., Govil, S., Shrikhande, S.V. and Windsor, J.A. (2012), ‘Artery-first’ approaches to pancreatoduodenectomy. Br J Surg, 99: 1027-1035. https://doi.org/10.1002/bjs.8763
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  Episode 1 - Presidential notes on redefining success: Legacy and leadership in HPB surgery 24.06.2026 29min

  HPB surgery is defined by complexity, high stakes, and constant pressure, it’s easy to measure success in numbers: cases performed, papers published, positions held. Dr Malini Bhana and Dr Brian Kiplagat Misoi are joined for our very first episode by Professor Eduard Jonas, President of the E-AHPBA as they delve into what a sustainable, fulfilling career in HPB surgery really looks like over decades of practice.