Surgeries related to gastroenterology focus on disorders of the digestive system, including the stomach, esophagus, intestines pancreas, liver and gallbladder. Common gastroenterological conditions treated at the K and B Surgical Center include:
Fatty Liver Disease (FLD) – A condition in which an excess amount of triglyceride fat accumulates in the liver cells. This occurs most often in individuals with excessive alcohol intake and those who are obese. It can also be associated with other diseases that influence fat metabolism.
GERD (Gastroensophageal reflux disease) – A condition in which contents of the stomach (food or liquid) leak backwards into the esophagus, the tube leading from the mouth to the stomach. This action can lead to irritation in the esophagus, leading to heartburn and other symptoms like nausea and difficulty swallowing. Anti-reflux surgery (like fundoplication, for example) may be an option for patients whose symptoms do not go away with drugs and lifestyle changes.
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) – A disorder that results in abdominal pain and cramping, changes in bowel movements and other symptoms, which is often treated with diet, lifestyle changes and medication.
Recent medical advancements such as gastrointestinal endoscopy, laparoscopy, computer tomography (CT) scan, and ultrasounds have made the inspection of inaccessible organs possible without surgery, and sometimes treatable with only minor surgery. With advances in other diagnostics such as the fecal occult blood test known as the Guaiac test, the need for bowel surgery can be determined quickly without expensive tests. This is especially important for colon cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer mortality in the United States. According to the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, 600,000 surgical procedures alone are performed in the United States each year to treat a colon disease alone.
For most gastroenterological surgeries, whether laparoscopic or open, patients are given preoperative medications as well as general anesthesia. Food and drink are not allowed after midnight before the surgery the next morning. Surgery proceeds with the patient under general anesthetics for open surgery and local or regional anesthetics for laparoscopic surgery. Specific diseases require specific procedures, with resection and repair of abdomen, colon and intestines, liver, and pancreas considered more serious than other organs. The level of complication of the procedure dictates whether laparoscopic procedures may be used.
Gastroenterology procedures at K and B Surgical Center are performed in a dedicated procedure room where patients experience the best and latest in technology, along with compassionate one-on-one care. For most gastroenterological surgeries, whether laparoscopic or open, preoperative medications are given as well as general anesthesia. Food and drink are not allowed after midnight before the surgery the next morning. Surgery proceeds with the patient under general anesthetics for open surgery and local or regional anesthetics for laparoscopic surgery. Specific diseases require specific procedures, and the level of complication of the procedure dictates whether laparoscopic procedures may be used.
The K and B Surgical Center offers a wide range of minimally invasive surgical procedures to address a variety of gastroenterological conditions.
Diagnostic Procedures
Endoscopy – A type of medical examination in which an instrument called an endoscope is passed into an area of the body (the bladder or intestine, for example). The endoscope usually has a fiber optic camera, which allows a greatly magnified image to be projected onto a video screen, to be viewed by the operator. Many endoscopes also allow the operator to retrieve a small sample (biopsy) of the area being examined, in order to more closely view the tissue under a microscope.
In gastroenterology, endoscopy is used to investigate symptoms in the digestive system such as nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing and gastrointestinal bleeding. It can also be used to confirm a diagnosis or to check for conditions like anemia, inflammation or cancers of the digestive system.
Colonoscopy – A visual inspection of the lining of the entire colon. Its purpose is to screen for colorectal cancer and pre-cancerous polyps. It can also be used to diagnose causes of diarrhea, abdominal pain, or the possibility of inflammatory bowel disease. A full bowel preparation should be completed prior to the colonoscopy.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy – A visual inspection of the left side of the colon. Combined with an air-contrast barium enema, it can be an effective way to screen for colorectal cancer and precancerous polyps. Flexible sigmoidoscopy requires a Fleet enema prior to the examination.
Endorectal/Endoanal Ultrasound – Uses sound waves to evaluate either the stage of a rectal tumor (endorectal ultrasound) or the possibility of surgically correctable fecal incontinence.
Wireless Capsule Endoscopy – A newer method of examining the small bowel by means of a capsule swallowed by the patient. The capsule contains a miniaturized lens and an antenna that transmits information to a belt-pack recorder worn by the patient during the day.
Surgical Procedures
Anorectal Procedures – At K and B Surgical Center, we treat the entire spectrum of anorectal diseases. Many treatments can be performed in the office. If surgery is necessary, it is typically done on an outpatient basis. We have extensive experience in the new “painless” hemorrhoidectomy, known as a stapled hemorrhoidectomy or PPH.
Bariatric Gastroenterology – Includes gastric bypass surgery and other surgical treatments to promote weight loss.
Colon Resections – May be required to treat both benign and malignant diseases of the colon and rectum, including diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rectal prolapse, and colorectal cancer. Select patients are candidates for laparoscopic colon resection.
If you’re interested in learning more about laparoscopic colon surgery, please visit the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) website on laparoscopic colon surgery at: www.sages.org/pi_colon.html.
