Gastroenterology is the study that focuses on the normal function of the digestive system and diseases of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and liver. Gastroenterologists are responsible for treating everything from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) to hepatitis C. they primarily diagnose and treat gastrointestinal conditions. Gastroenterology includes common and important conditions like colon polyps, cancer, hepatitis, gastroesophageal reflux (heartburn), peptic ulcer disease, colitis, gallbladder and biliary tract disease, nutritional problems, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and pancreatitis.
The symptoms of a Gastroenterology diseases vary but they include:
• Abdominal pain and discomfort
• Constipation and Diarrhoea
• Bleeding in the digestive tract
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease or Acid Reflux (GERD)
• Difficulty while Swallowing
• Ulcers
Unexplained weight loss and change in bowel habit are the alarming symptoms for gastroenterology
• Pancreatic Cancer
• inflammatory bowel disease, or chronic inflammation of the digestive tract
• Bowel and colon cancers
• gastrointestinal cancer
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Colon polyps
• Achalasia
• endoscopic surveillance
• reflux esophagitis
• Gastroesophageal Reflux
• Malabsorption
• Cholecystitis
A Minimally Invasive also called as laparoscopic procedure allows the surgeon to operate within smaller incisions and a tiny camera.
The Benefits of Minimally Invasive GI Procedure are
• Low Blood Loss and Pain
• Less Minimal Scars
• Lower Risks of Infection
• Short Hospital Stays
• Faster Recovery Time
Some common types of minimally invasive Gastrointestinal procedures include
• Colon and Rectal Surgery
• Nephrectomy – Treats disorders of the large intestine
• Adrenalectomy = Removal of growth in the adrenal glands
• Foregut Surgery– Treats conditions of the upper GI tract
• Appendectomy – Removal of an infected appendix,
• Splenectomy – Removes the spleen
• Hiatal Hernia Repair – Fixes paraesophageal hernias and Hiatal hernias.
• Bariatric Surgery – Makes the stomach smaller to help with weight loss.
• Pancreatic Surgery – used in treating various pancreatic conditions.
• Cholecystectomy – Removes gallbladder to treat gallstones.
• Nissen – Treats severe gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Retroperitoneum Surgery – Treats testicular cancer
Open GI Procedures are treatments that are performed with a large incision, which leads to big scars this overall impacts the patient which leads to more recovery time and longer hospital stay. Open GI Procedures are best options when the treatment site is inflamed, infected, or scarred.
Some common types of Open Gastrointestinal Procedures include
• Appendectomy – Urgent Removal of the appendix.
• Pancreaticoduodenectomy – surgery used to treat cancer or other pancreatic growths
• Abdominal Surgery – diagnose or treat abdominal disorders.
• Roux-en-Y – Bypasses or connects the intestines to treat obesity or severe reflux.
• Adrenalectomy – Removal of one or both adrenal glands.
• Nissen fundoplication – Strengthening of muscle between the esophagus and stomach helps improve severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux.
