Laparoscopic surgery, a "minimally invasive" procedure, is commonly used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Unlike traditional surgery on the colon or other parts of the intestines where a long incision down the center of the abdomen is required, laparoscopic surgery requires only small "keyhole" incisions in the abdomen. As a result, the person undergoing the procedure may experience less pain and scarring after surgery, and a more rapid recovery.
Sometimes the most effective way to treat a malignant tumor is to surgically excise (remove) the diseased tissue. A general surgeon may be chosen for this task when the cancer is present in the breast, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, liver or endocrine system, and potentially for melanoma and sarcoma as well. Once the tumor has been removed, additional therapies may be recommended to lower the chance of recurrence. These treatments may include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, ultrasound or laser surgery. Early detection and the latest techniques and technologies are used to achieve the best possible outcome.
Complex and specialized minimally invasive surgery of the GI tract is performed to treat acid reflux/GERD, hernias, appendicitis, portal hypertension, inflammatory bowel disease, and diseases, conditions or injuries of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, intestines, colon and anus. Bariatric surgery is an elective procedure that may be an effective solution for morbidly obese patients seeking significant weight loss.
A hernia occurs when tissue or part of an organ, usually the intestines, protrudes through a weak point or tear in the abdominal wall, forming a sac. The protruding tissue may lose blood supply and become obstructed, resulting in health problems as serious as life-threatening gangrene.
Hernias may be caused at birth when the abdominal lining does not close properly (this occurs in about 5 in 100 children); or they may occur later in life from a number of causes, including heavy lifting. Most hernias occur in the abdominal wall, either in the groin (inguinal, femoral), the navel (umbilical) or at surgical incision sites (incisional).
Surgery is the only method to correct hernias. Among the most common procedures in the U.S., hernia surgery is performed to alleviate pain and to correct or prevent the occurrence of more serious problems. Surgery should be performed on any hernia, but it is especially recommended for patients with pain, who are at high risk for blockage such as large amounts of tissue protruding through a small hole, and whose lifestyles are hampered by the hernia.
The endocrine glands are responsible for secreting hormones in our bodies. These glands include the thyroid in the front of the neck, four parathyroids behind the thyroid, two adrenal glands near each kidney, neuroendocrine glands in the pancreas, and the pituitary in the brain. Endocrine surgeons have special expertise in operating on the endocrine glands when they produce abnormal and harmful amounts of hormones. Surgical removal of all or part of an endocrine gland is often an effective treatment for cancer and benign tumors, cysts, nodules, parathyroid adenoma, Grave's Disease, Cushing's Syndrome, Conn's Disease and pheochromocytoma. These procedures are called thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy and adrenalectomy.