Types of Gastrointestinal Conditions

Common types of gastrointestinal conditions that can be treated with surgery include the following:

• Gallstones are tough bile deposits that accumulate in the gallbladder. Bile is initially made in the liver and safely deposited in the gallbladder. Gallstones get stuck in the ducts, which results in an obstruction in the region. As a result, pain intensifies in the upper right-hand side of the abdomen.
• Jaundice develops when the skin, white parts of the eyes and mucous membranes begin to turn yellow due to the excessive amounts of bilirubin. When the liver cannot function optimally, waste, referred to as bilirubin, accumulates in the blood.
• Stomach/duodenal ulcers are sores that develop on the stomach lining or the small intestine lining. These types of ulcers result in indigestion and pain. Although over-the-counter medicines prescribed by your doctor can relieve discomfort, more specialized treatment is necessary to heal these ulcers.
• Haemorrhoids/piles are large veins in the lower end of the rectum. Haemorrhoids can be internal, meaning they develop within the rectum, or external, meaning they grow beneath the anal skin.

Gastrointestinal Procedures

Gastrointestinal surgery involves treating several gastrointestinal issues that cause pain, discomfort and bleeding.

The following gastrointestinal procedures are done:

• Surgery for gallstones involves surgically removing the stones from the bile ducts or the entire gallbladder, a procedure referred to as cholecystectomy.
• Pancreatic surgery is the resection of the whole pancreas or just portions of it. Pancreatic surgery is typically done to resolve pancreatic cancer or, in other cases, chronic pancreatitis.
• Splenectomy is the surgical resection of the spleen. The spleen rests beneath the ribcage on the left-hand side of the abdomen. A splenectomy is commonly performed to treat a burst spleen due to an abdominal injury. Additional reasons your surgeon may decide to perform the procedure involve treating an enlarged spleen, a blood disorder or cancer affecting the spleen. The spleen can be removed through tiny incisions via laparoscopy or a much larger cut done via open surgery.
• Surgery for stomach ulcers involves removing bleeding gastric ulcers. However, for severe haemorrhage as a result of stress ulceration, Dr Umar may decide to perform a total gastrectomy. Conversely, a partial gastrectomy involves removing a section of the stomach and the ulcer. Dr Umar will decide on the appropriate treatment plan depending on your diagnosis.
• Surgery for haemorrhoids/piles involves surgically resecting, stapling or tying the haemorrhoids. A haemorrhoidectomy involves cutting away the haemorrhoids, stapling the haemorrhoids, or sealing the arteries which nourish the haemorrhoids with blood.

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