Gall Bladder Surgery
What is gallstone disease?
Gallstone disease is a worldwide problem. Common symptoms are pain in right upper part of the abdomen and indigestion. Standard treatment is laparoscopic cholecystectomy- a key hole procedure to remove gallbladder with stones.
What does the procedure involve?
The operation is carried out under General Anaesthesia. You will be assessed by the Anaesthetist before surgery and some health checks will be carried out by the theatre team to ensure that you are the correct patient and for correct procedure. The operation usually takes one hour but may take slightly more longer if you had repeated infection in gallbladder previously. You will have 3-4 small cuts in the belly which is distended with carbon dioxide gas to give an adequate view during laparoscopy.
What happens after operation?
After operation you will be transferred to the recovery ward.
You may expect shoulder tip pain after surgery which may resolve within 24-48 hrs after surgery. You will be allowed to eat and drink and will be able to go home same day after surgery.
Groin/Abdominal Wall
Hernia Surgery
What is a hernia?
Any weakness in the abdominal wall leading to protrusion of its content as a visible lump is called hernia. Common abdominal wall hernias are Groin hernias, Umbilical, Paraumbilical and Epigastric hernias. Sometimes hernias occur on the previous surgical scars called incisional hernias. These can cause pain and discomfort. Sometimes these can be unsightly.
How it is treated?
It is best treated with key hole surgery with the help of a nylon gauze called mesh. If you choose not to have mesh, then hernia repair is done using sutures only. The chance of hernia recurrence is higher in comparison to when mesh is used.Small hernias with defect size upto 2cm are treated usually without key hole surgery using sutures.
Large abdominal wall hernias are treated using the placement of mesh in between the abdominal wall layers using a component separation technique which traditionally done through open fashion. Currently, it is done through key hole approach for certain size defects. Key hole technique involve less pain, early recovery and less complications in comparison to open technique.
What happens after surgery?
You will be able to go home same day of operation for groin and small abdominal wall hernia repair. Patients with large hernia repair may need an overnight or 1-2 days stay depending on their pain control or whether there is placement of any drains or not.
Acid Reflux Surgery
What are symptoms of acid reflux?
Common symptoms are Heart burn, Indigestion, Food regurgitation and rarely chronic unexplained dry cough and acid taste in mouth.
How it is diagnosed?
Certain specialised tests are carried out by the surgeon before offering you the surgery. The essential tests Gastroscopy and pH-Manometry. Barium swallow and CT scan may be required in case associated large size hiatus hernia.
How it is treated?
Many of these symptoms can be best managed with life style changes and Anti-acid tablets. Surgery is sometimes required to give reliable control of symptoms.
What does the Antireflux surgery involve?
Surgery is called Fundolication and is performed through key hole approach using 5-6 small incisions on the upper part of the belly. Abdomen is distended with carbon dioxide gas. Liver is held out of the way to free up the upper part of the stomach, lower oesophagus (food pipe) and muscular part of the diaphragm where food pipe joins the stomach.
This muscular part is then stitched together to reduce the size of the outlet hole for your food pipe and then freed upper part of stomach is wrapped and stitched around the lower part of food pipe to create a new valve effect stopping the acid reflux.
What happens after surgery?
After operation you will be transferred to the recovery area. You will be put on regular anti-sickness medication which will be continued for at least 2 weeks after surgery. You should no longer need to take any anti-acid medication.
You will be able to drink water on the first day of operation and then started on pureed diet on the second day of operation. Subsequently you should stay on soft sloppy diet.
You may be able to go home same day of operation once you are able to tolerate water and liquids orally.