General Surgery & Gastroenterology

General Surgery & Gastroenterology

General surgery and gastroenterology is a branch of medical science that deals with diseases and surgical procedures related to the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). The GI tract involves the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, anus, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. The doctors in this field are either general surgeons or gastroenterologists.

To seek treatment, you can consult a gastroenterologist near you. You can also visit a multispeciality hospital near you.

What is gastrointestinal surgery?

Gastrointestinal surgery is a procedure done for diseases of the GI tract. The doctors who perform these surgeries are either general surgeons. These surgeries are used to remove non-cancerous as well as cancerous tumors or other major defects in the body.

What are the different types of gastrointestinal surgery?

• Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio pancreatography (ERCP): This is an endoscopic procedure deployed to treat gallbladder, biliary system, pancreas, and liver diseases. It involves the combined use of  X-rays and an endoscope (a thin, flexible, and long tube with an attached camera).
• Interventional gastro procedures: These are used to treat complex gastrointestinal diseases. Interventional procedures include endoscopic surgeries where an endoscope is used to diagnose and treat medical conditions. These procedures are minimally invasive techniques and are alternatives to open surgery. 

What are the different gastrointestinal conditions?

There are numerous conditions that can cause problems in the organs of the GI tract. Some of them are,

• Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix)
• Gastrointestinal cancers (cancerous tumors in any organ of the gastrointestinal tract)
• Gall bladder stone
• Hernia
• Inflammatory bowel diseases
• Rectal prolapse (a condition in which the intestine comes out of the anus)
• Fistula (an abnormal connection between two organs or vessels that are not normally attached)
• Anal abscess (a painful condition where the skin gets filled with pus)
• Anal fissures (a small tear in the mucosa of the anus is called an anal fissure)

What are the common signs of gastrointestinal conditions?

• Unusually dark colored stool
• Problem in breathing
• Persistent and unbearable abdominal pain
• Chest pain
• Blood while vomiting

When to see a doctor?

If you experience any above-mentioned symptoms, you need to seek immediate medical attention.
You can consult online with a gastroenterologist near you.

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Karol Bagh, New Delhi

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment

Risks and complications with gastroenterology procedures and surgeries

Interventional gastro procedures are relatively safe, but certain complications can include:

• Oversedation
• Temporary bloated feeling
• Mild cramping
• Numb throat because of local anesthetic
• Bacterial or fungal infections
• Persistent pain in the area of the endoscopy
• Perforation in the lining of the stomach or esophagus
• Internal bleeding

What are the benefits of gastrointestinal surgery?

Surgeries are performed when there are no other alternatives. They help in removing the tumor, the lingering issue, or correcting a defect. Surgery can also give you an improved and pain-free, quality life.

Conclusion

General surgery and gastroenterology is a field of medicine specially dedicated to treating the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The doctors who specialize in this field are known as gastroenterologists or general surgeons. Interventional gastro procedures treat and diagnose a variety of complex gastrointestinal diseases with acceptable immediate outcomes.