GI SURGERY

Gastrointestinal Surgeries are those surgeries related to digestion or gastrointestinal system. The digestive system is an intricate system which can be disturbed by food bacteria, any disease or any kind of stress. Some digestive problems need to be treated with medicines, lifestyle/ habit changes or surgeries.

The Surgical Gastroenterologist specializes in the gastrointestinal tract diseases related to esophageal, stomach, small and large intestine, liver, pancreas and gall bladder.

Ultrasound and Endoscopy are diagnostic tools. Nowadays, the technology gives the patient minimal pain with fast recovery with Laparoscopic Surgery also known asKeyhole Surgery. This surgical process includes small incision in the abdominal wall and doing surgery through small incisions for quick and easy recovery. The patients may get discharged much early and recovers faster compared to open surgery.

1. Upper GI Clinic deals with the disease of the Esophagus (Food pipe), Stomach and Duodenum.

Conditions affecting the Esophagus (Food pipe):

• Esophageal diverticulum
• Corrosive (acid) ingestion injuries and strictures
• Achalasia cardia and other motility disorders
• Gastresophgeal Reflux Disease (GERD)
• Hiatus hernia
• Esophageal cancer

Conditions affecting the Stomach and Duodenum:

• Peptic ulcer disease and its complications
• Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST)
• Stomach cancer

1. Colorectal Clinic deals with conditions of the colon and rectum requiring special expertise and care.

Conditions affecting Colon and Rectum

• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn’s disease
• Rectal prolapse
• Colonic diverticulitis
• Colonic cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Perianal diseases

• Hepatobiliary and Pancreas Clinic deals with the disease of the liver, gall bladder and pancreas. The diseases of these organs are complex and require a dedicated and expert team to give the best possible treatment.

Conditions affecting the Liver:

• Liver Cancer (HCC)
• Bile duct cancer (Cholangiocarcinoma)
• Metastatic colorectal cancer
• Neuroendocrine tumors
• Other metastatic tumors
• Benign liver lesions

Conditions affecting the pancreas include:

• Pancreatic cancer
• Pancreatitis
• Pseudocyst
• Cystic tumors

Conditions affecting the bile ducts and gallbladder include:

• Gallstones
• Biliary stricture
• Bile leaks (caused by trauma and surgery)
• Cancer (cholangiocarcinoma/gallbladder)

Who is a surgical gastroenterologist?

A surgical gastroenterologist is a surgeon who specializes in the gastrointestinal tract (including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine) and other digestive organs (liver, pancreas, bile ducts, and gall bladder).

When should one visit a surgical gastroenterologist?

• Pain in abdomen, vomiting, frequent loose stools with blood, blood in stools.
• Some symptoms like difficulty in swallowing, blood in vomitus, jaundice with itching, weight loss and loss of hunger could be early signs of cancer.
• Often stones in gall bladder or liver cancer may not show symptoms and are recognized on routine health checkup.

Does a surgical gastroenterologist treat cancer?

Yes, a surgical gastroenterologist is a specialized cancer surgeon who operates on cancer of the gastrointestinal tract.

What is laparoscopic surgery (Keyhole surgery)?

Laparoscopy is examination of the interior of the abdomen by means of a camera called a laparoscope. Laparoscopic surgery is a method by which surgery is performed through small incisions in the abdominal wall and inserting the instruments through specially designed ports.

Can Cancer be treated successfully through laparoscopic surgery?

Yes, recent studies have shown that laparoscopic surgery is superior to open in terms of cancer cure.

What are the benefits of laparoscopic surgery?

• Minimal pain
• Fast recovery
• Scarless surgery

How long do I have to stay in hospital?

Following laparoscopic surgery for gallstones or hernia they can be discharged on the same day. For the advanced procedures for Gastrointestinal Cancers,  longer stay is required depending on the surgery being done.