surgeries involved in gastroenterology: gastrointestinal surgery, conditions treated with gastrointestinal surgeries,procedure and side effects of these surgeries, open gastrointestinal surgeries and minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgeries
2. GASTROINTESTINAL SURGERY
Gastrointestinal surgery is a treatment for diseases of the parts of the body involved in digestion.
This includes the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum.
It also includes the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.
Surgery may be used to remove a cancerous or noncancerous growth or damaged part of the body,
such as the intestine.
It may also be used to repair a problem like a hernia (a hole or weak spot in the wall of the
abdomen).
Minor surgical procedures are used to screen and diagnose problems of the digestive system.
3. GASTROINTESTINAL CONDITIONS
Gastrointestinal conditions that may be treated with surgeries
• Appendicitis (When the appendix becomes infected and inflamed, it may be removed)
• Colon cancer and other GI cancers
• Diverticular disease(A diverticulum is a small pouch or pocket in the colon)
• Gallbladder disease
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernias
• Hernia(A hernia is when a part of the body (like the intestine) comes through a hole or weak spot
in the wall of muscle or connective tissue that’s supposed to protect it (like the abdomen)).
4. • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
• Rectal prolapse(Surgery is used to treat rectal prolapse, a condition in which part of the intestine
comes through the anus)
• Weight loss(Different types of bariatric surgery (for example, gastric bypass) may be done to treat
obesity)
5. PROCEDURE
• A surgical procedure called an endoscopy is used to screen and diagnose problems of the digestive
system.
• The doctor puts a long, thin tube with a tiny camera into the body to see inside.
• If the problem is with the stomach or oesophagus, the doctor puts the scope through the
oesophagus.
• To check for colon cancer or other problems of the intestines, the doctor puts the scope through the
anus into the intestine.
7. • Surgery done by cutting into the body can be either open surgery or minimally invasive surgery.
• Open surgery: The surgeon makes one large cut to open up the body.
• Minimally invasive surgery, or laparoscopic surgery: The surgeon makes a few small cuts and uses a
camera to see inside the body. The surgeon inserts the camera in one cut and surgical instruments
in other cuts. These smaller cuts usually heal faster than the large cut of open surgery.
8. OPEN GI SURGERIES
• Whenever possible, Penn Medicine performs minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, in
some cases, traditional open surgery is necessary.
• Traditional open surgical procedures include:
• Abdominal Surgery - Doctors perform a variety of different abdominal surgeries.
• Adrenalectomy - This surgery removes one or both adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are found on
top of the kidneys and make hormones that are needed to help the body work properly.
• Appendectomy - This is a common emergency surgery to remove the appendix.
9. • Nissen fundoplication - This procedure strengthens the muscle in between the stomach and
oesophagus tube. It is used to treat patients with severe acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD).
• Roux-en-Y - This surgery typically bypasses or connects the intestines. It is commonly used to treat
obesity or severe reflux.
• Whipple Procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy) - This is a complex surgery commonly used to treat
cancer or other growths in or on the pancreas.
10. MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERIES
• Minimally invasive surgery, or laparoscopic surgery, allows surgeons to operate with smaller
incisions. Some even operate with the help of tiny video cameras during surgery.
• With minimally invasive surgery, patients will have less pain, less blood loss and smaller scars after
surgery. It also helps to lower the risk of infection. Patients often feel better quicker and can leave
the hospital sooner. Although there are many benefits, it is not an option for all patients.
11. • Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy - This procedure removes growths in the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands
are found on top of the kidneys and make hormones that are needed to help the body work properly.
• Laparoscopic Appendectomy - This procedure removes an infected appendix (the small finger-like pouch at
the end of the large intestine).
• Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery - This procedure makes the stomach smaller, which helps with weight loss.
• Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy - This procedure treats gallstones by removing the gallbladder. It has few
risks to it and recovery time is usually short.
• Laparoscopic Colon and Rectal Surgery - This type of surgery treats conditions of the large intestine
(including the colon, rectum and anus).
12. • Laparoscopic Foregut Surgery - This is often used to treat conditions of the upper GI tract. It can
involve the oesophagus (the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach), stomach or the upper
portion of the small intestines.
• Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair - This treatment can fix hiatal hernias and paraesophageal
hernias. A hiatal hernia is an opening in the diaphragm (the muscle that separates your chest from
your abdomen) that might cause the stomach or other abdominal organs to shift up into the chest.
It can cause heartburn, chest or abdominal discomfort, discomfort with eating or shortness of
breath.
13. • Laparoscopic Nephrectomy - This procedure can be used to remove a diseased or cancerous kidney.
• Laparoscopic Pancreatic Surgery - Depending on the circumstances, this procedure can sometimes
be used in treating different pancreatic conditions.
• Laparoscopic Retroperitoneum Surgery - This procedure is often used for treatment of testicular
cancer.
• Laparoscopic Splenectomy - This type of procedure involves removing the spleen.
• Laparoscopic Appendectomy - This procedure removes an infected appendix (the small finger-like
pouch at the end of the large intestine).
14. • Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery - This procedure makes the stomach smaller, which helps with
weight loss.
• Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy - This procedure treats gallstones by removing the gallbladder. It has
few risks to it and recovery time is usually short.
• Laparoscopic Colon and Rectal Surgery - This type of surgery treats conditions of the large intestine
(including the colon, rectum and anus).
• Laparoscopic Nissen - This surgery is used to treat patients with severe gastroesophageal reflux
disease (GERD), also known as gastric reflux. It strengthens the muscle that contracts to keep
stomach acid away from the oesophagus. People who suffer from chronic acid reflux often report
feeling a burning sensation in their chests, throats or mouths. Others may experience chest pain,
difficulty swallowing or a sore throat.
