Gastrointestinal Surgery
Gastrointestinal surgery is utilized as a means to treat ailments related to digestion, including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum. This also encompasses the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Surgery can be used to eliminate a cancerous or noncancerous growth or a damaged portion of the body such as the intestine, as well as repair problems such as a hernia. Minor surgical procedures may also be employed to screen and diagnose issues in the digestive system.
A variety of gastrointestinal conditions can be treated with surgery. Appendicitis, which is inflammation and infection of the appendix, is often treated with an appendectomy. Colon cancer and other gastrointestinal cancers may require surgery to remove cancerous tumors and any affected digestive system parts, such as the pancreas, liver, or intestine. Diverticular disease, which is the development of small pouches or pockets in the colon, may require bowel resection surgery to remove the affected section of the intestine if the diverticula frequently become inflamed.
When there is a problem with the gallbladder, such as the presence of gallstones, surgery to remove the gallbladder, called cholecystectomy, may be necessary. GERD and hiatal hernias, in which the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm, can be corrected through fundoplication surgery, which strengthens the sphincter muscle to prevent acid reflux. Hernias, which occur when a part of the body protrudes through a hole or weak spot in the protective muscle or tissue, can be repaired with surgery.
Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, can cause pain and inflammation in the intestine, leading to damage that may require the removal of the affected portions, followed by reconnection of the healthy sections, a process known as bowel resection. Rectal prolapse, which is when part of the intestine protrudes through the anus, can also be treated with surgery. Lastly, weight loss surgeries, such as gastric bypass, can be performed by bariatric surgery specialists to address obesity.