Weight loss and change in bowel habit are the alarming symptoms for gastroenterology. Apart from these, there are some conditions where the patient is required to consult a specialist –
The organs affected by gastrointestinal system
Different types of gastrointestinal surgery can treat the following conditions that can improve quality of life of for many patients. Some of these conditions include –
The extent and type of GI (Gastrointestinal Surgery) largely depend upon the location and the size of the cancer. Gastrointestinal surgery could be the only treatment and can also be performed along with radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
It is a procedure where the patient has to swallow a vitamin-sized capsule which contains a tiny wireless camera. This helps in getting pictures of your digestive tract for medical diagnosis.
Colonoscopy is a medical test to examine the abnormalities and changes in the large intestine and rectum. The doctor will do so by inserting a long, flexible tube into the rectum with an attached tiny video camera to it. This help in viewing the inside of the entire colon for better diagnosis.
It is a test done to examine any part of the upper digestive system or UGI (upper gastrointestinal tract including the small intestine, stomach, esophagus, and mouth). The same is done by inserting a long, flexible pipe through the mouth for diagnosis and treatment.
Pancreatic pseudocysts are cysts on the pancreas which appear as fluid-filled sacs that cause trauma or pancreatitis. The procedure followed is where an endoscopic ultrasound is inserted in the GI tract, just a little close to the pancreas in order to drain the cysts.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a technique to examine the problems in the gall bladder, pancreatic ducts, and the bile. It uses both endoscopy and fluoroscopy.
It is a procedure in which a pipe is inserted in the esophagus (throat) to open the blocked area. Basically, it is done to help swallow fluids and solids and is a part of the treatment for peptic esophageal strictures, esophageal perforation, tracheoesophageal fistula, etc.
It is a procedure to view the inside of the rectum and lower colon also known as sigmoid colon and descending colon for any cancers, polyps or ulcers. The same is done with the help of a small tube with a camera and light also called sigmoidoscope.
It is a surgical operation for the removal of tumors from the pancreas. The procedure involves the removal of the head of the pancreas, gall bladder and the first part of the small intestine and part of the bile duct. After the surgery, the organs are reconnected for the patient to digest food normally.
The procedure of Laparoscopy makes use of a laparoscope for looking into the patient’s abdomen. The purpose of using a laparoscope is to magnify and light up the structures within the abdomen.
A laparoscope has a light source that can be passed inside the abdomen by making a tiny incision into the skin. The symptoms of pelvic pain, pelvic region, abdominal pain and swelling of the abdomen can be found out by using a laparoscopy procedure. The Doctor can clearly see inside the patient’s abdomen by using laparoscopy. The few common conditions that can be perceived by laparoscopy –
Laparoscopic surgery, also referred to as minimally invasive surgery or keyhole surgery, makes use of several thin instruments and a video camera. About a half an inch tiny incisions are made and then the placement of the ports (plastic tubes) is done from these incisions. Then the instruments and the camera are introduced from the ports. This enables in accessing the inside of the patient. The most commonly performed procedures are –
Laparoscopies technique is performed for many intestinal surgeries. For some colorectal cancers, the laparoscopic surgery is very successful and safe. Some of the conditions treated by laparoscopy surgery include –
The procedure of laparoscopic gallbladder removal is not appropriate for the patients having pre-existing medical conditions or had earlier upper abdominal surgery. A physician properly evaluates the medical conditions of the patients. The laparoscopy trained surgeon determines an appropriate procedure for removing the gallbladder.
The abdominal cavity organs are thoroughly examined with the help of laparoscopic surgery procedure. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The procedure makes use of a thin flexible tube having a video camera and a laparoscope. By making tiny incisions, the placement of a laparoscope is done inside the abdomen. It then generates the images of the abdomen on the screen. The major benefit of laparoscopy is that it provides a clear view of the abdominal structures and organs eliminating the need for surgery. After the completion of the surgery, the other instruments and the laparoscope are removed. All the incisions are then stitched back.
The minimally invasive procedure of laparoscopic hysterectomy is performed for removing the uterus. In this procedure a small camera is inserted by making a tiny incision in the belly button. The procedure is done by seeing the images on the screen by the means of a small camera. Then in the lower abdomen, 2 or 3 incisions are made. The insertion of the specialized instruments is done in the process of removal.
In some cases, the ovaries of the women are not removed while going through hysterectomy. If a woman chooses her ovaries to stay inside then there is no need of taking out the hormones after the completion of the surgery. Also she does not feel any hot flashes. The cause for the removal of ovaries could be abnormal growth of the ovaries or due to family history of ovarian cancer. Women can either choose a laparoscopic supra-cervical hysterectomy that keeps the cervix in place or total laparoscopic hysterectomy that entirely removes the uterus. The procedure of laparoscopic hysterectomy only requires several tiny incisions instead of 3-6 inch incision in the case of traditional abdominal hysterectomy. As a result of which there is less blood loss, less scarring and less post-operative pain.
Robot-assisted surgery is regarded as the best minimally invasive alternative to both laparoscopy and open surgery. The surgeon performs the operation with the DA Vinci’s robotic system that has no direct mechanical association with either the patient or the surgeon. The surgeon is seated at a computer console and is a few feet away from the patient. The operating field can be viewed by the surgeon from a three-dimensional view. The surgeon uses the console having hand control and directs the micro instruments, wrists and robotic arms of the machine. The benefits of robot-assisted technique includes –
Mild to moderate conditions of endometriosis is removed by the means of laparoscopy. A lighter weight laparoscope is used and is inserted by making a tiny incision. The procedure is performed for treating conditions such as severe endometriosis pain, endometriosis cyst on an ovary, endometriosis as the possible cause of infertility and severe scar tissue and endometriosis which is interfering with the internal organs namely bladder or bowel.
Gallbladder surgery, also referred to as Cholecystectomy, is the procedure that involves the removal of the gallbladder (a pear-shaped organ below the liver on the upper side of the abdomen)
The surgery is necessary if a person experiences pain from gallstones that obstructs the flow of the bile. The procedure is minimally invasive and uses small incisions in the abdomen that allows a surgeon to gain access of the gallbladder with the help of surgical tools such as a laparoscope (a high definition camera). Sometimes a big incision is also made for removing the gallbladder and the procedure is known as open Cholecystectomy.
The laparoscopy has many benefits but the procedure may not be suitable for those patients who earlier had upper abdominal surgery. The patients who had some pre-existing medical condition is also not appropriate for gallbladder surgery. A thorough examination of the patient is done in order to determine whether or not the procedure is right for you.
Cholecystectomy is the surgical procedure for removing the gallbladder. While performing traditional surgery, a long incision of about 5-8 inches is made in the abdomen for removing the gallbladder. The incision is made beneath the ribs on the right side and reaches below the waist. This procedure is termed as open Cholecystectomy.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is the newer procedure for removing the gallbladder. A high definition camera is used for viewing inside the body and the doctor views the patient’s gallbladder on a TV screen. The surgeon then does the surgery with surgical tools that are inserted in three tiny cuts in the right upper part of the abdomen. The surgeon then takes out the gallbladder by the means of one of the incisions.
The person can live a normal life without a gallbladder. Though the organ can be useful but it is not necessary. The liver of a person will still produce bile for digesting the food. By adopting simple lifestyle changes, a person can live a normal life. Some of the lifestyle changes include –
The condition of hernia arises when the contents (abdominal fatty tissue or portions of the intestine) of a body cavity bulge out of the area where they are generally contained.
The thin membrane encloses all the contents that outline the inside of the cavity. The condition of hernia may not produce any symptoms but may result in severe pain. The blood supply is cut off when the contents bulge out through the opening that creates severe pressure on the blood vessels. This calls for surgical or medical emergency as blood supplies the oxygen to the tissues.
The surgery is meant for those who have the following conditions –
Hernias can be present at the time of birth and can also develop in the later stages of life. When the abdominal cavity’s pressure increases, it may result in the formation of hernia. It include –
The surgical procedure for fixing a hernia is termed as hernia repair. Herniorrhaphy is the other name for this procedure. There are 2 kinds of hernia repair –
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is the term used for a collection of disorders where the intestines become red and swollen (inflamed). This happens when an immune reaction of the body is against its own intestinal tissue.
Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) are the two kinds of inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn’s disease can affect the colon or the small intestine and it also involves any part of the gastrointestinal tract and results in malnutrition, abdominal pain and severe diarrhea. Ulcerative colitis affects the large intestine (colon). This disease results in continuing inflammation in part of the digestive tract.
When IBD flares up in the case of chronic diseases, it can lead to different symptoms that can sometimes disappear or decrease and a person can return to their normal health. The symptoms of IBD vary from mild to severe depending upon which part of the intestinal tract is concerned. Some of the symptoms are –
There is no exact cause of IBD. However, the disease could be due to malfunctioning of the body’s immune system. Ulcerative Colitis and Corhn’s disease both can be seen in the family history of patients. Few environmental factors can also be responsible for causing ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. IBD can also be influenced by psychological, infectious, immunologic and genetic factors.
The tests depend on the symptoms of IBD that include –
The last one-third part of the large intestine can be visualized by using a sigmoidoscope. This one-third part includes the sigmoid colon and the rectum. The test helps in examining bleeding, ulcers and inflammation.
An endoscope is used if a patient has gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and nausea. The duodenum, esophagus and stomach are examined using an endoscope.
Surgical or medical treatments are available for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Both the types of IBD- ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can be treated with the help of several drugs. Surgery is the last option available and it depends upon the type of inflammatory bowel disease. It is possible to ulcerative colitis through surgery. Certain drugs can also be used for treating IBD.
DA Vinci robotic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that involves less scarring, small incisions and also results in quick recovery. The robotic surgery provides the best results in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. This procedure involves patented surgical instruments, state of the art surgical platform and high definition vision. The procedure reduces the side effects of inflammatory bowel disease.
After the treatment of IBD, there is a drastic improvement in the health related quality of life of a patient. The health related quality of life is seen in both the cases of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Tubular connections between the skin, the bowel or other organs are termed as intestinal fistulas. The formation of the fistulas happens when there is extended inflammation through every layer of the bowel. Then fistulas proceed to tunnel through other tissue layers. Fistulas are numerous and is more commonly seen in Crohn’s disease. Fistulas can link the bowel to the skin around the anus, to the abdominal wall, to other loops of the bowel and also with internal locations like scrotum, vagina, urinary bladder and muscles.
The Whipple procedure is a common surgery for removing tumors in the pancreas. The surgery is seen as a cure to extend life for pancreatic patients.
Whipple procedure gets its name from Allen Whipple, MD, a Columbia University surgeon who first operated in 1935. Besides, in a classic Whipple procedure, the doctor will remove the head of the pancreas, gallbladder, duodenum, a portion of the common bile duct and part of the stomach. Thereupon, the surgeon reconnects the remaining pancreas and digestive organs.
Whipple procedure is a complex surgery and can have serious risks. However, a successful Whipple procedure turns out to be lifesaving for pancreatic patients.
Whipple procedure is a treatment option for the patients whose pancreas, bile duct or duodenum is affected by cancer. A surgeon will do tests on your body to understand the complexity of your case and then you will be suggested with the right treatment. If a tumor is in the head of the pancreas and has not spread to other parts of the body, the Whipple procedure might be the right treatment. In case the tumor has grown in the body and tail of the pancreas, distal pancreatectomy is performed.
Furthermore, the Whipple procedure is one of the best ways to provide long-time cure to pancreatic patients. What shocking to know is that about 30-50% of people who are eligible for the surgery are told otherwise. Which is why it is strongly recommended to go for institutions and doctors with a high volume of pancreatic surgery and a success rate. Your doctor will propose surgery to treat:
Whipple procedure is also known as Pancreatoduodenectomy. It is a complex surgery and it has risks and complications linked to it. Some of them are mentioned below:
If you go by popular recommendation, then it is best to consult a surgeon and hospital with a high volume of pancreatic surgery. The higher the volume of pancreatic surgeons with a high success rate, the more is a chance that you will get the best treatment, proper pre, and post-surgery care. The patient should do enough research regarding this and he should be mentally prepared before making a firm decision for the surgery. Below mentioned are the few ways in which Whipple procedure may be undertaken:
Even when minimally invasive surgery has a lot of plus points like lower blood loss and chances of infection for the patient, it is a time-consuming procedure. Besides, there can be cases in which the procedure begins with minimally invasive surgery however due to technical difficulty the doctor may be conditioned to make an open incision to finish the operation.
The patient has to be calm and composed throughout the whole process. If you are feeling any sort of discomfort or stress, you should always discuss it with your loved ones. Sometimes the patient is given treatment before or after surgery such as neoadjuvant therapy and adjuvant therapy. The therapy aims to kill the remaining cancer cells that may still be present to prevent the tumor to circle back again. Know that clinical trials are available for pancreatic patients seeking neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy.