Bowker, Andrew

Definitions

General surgery takes its name from general medicine, and is a surgical specialty focusing on the torso and abdominal organs. This may include the intestines comprising the oesophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, pancreas, liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. It also often deals with diseases and disorders involving the skin and breasts.moreLaparoscopic cholecystectomy is removal of the gallbladder with the aid of a camera inserted into the abdomen. A small incision is made in the abdominal wall near the navel, through which alaparoscope, a flexible lighted tube with a camera attached, is inserted to view the gallbladder. The surgery is carried out with instruments inserted in three other small cuts made in the right upper part of the abdomen. The gallbladder is then taken out through one of the incisions. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive technique that permits a shorter hospital stay and shorter recovery time with less pain.moreSurgical repair of a hernia is also called a herniorrhaphy. A hernia is a protrusion of tissue through the wall of the cavity in which it is normally contained, often through an opening or weaknessin the muscles of the abdomen wall. Laparoscopic hernia repair is a minimally invasive ‘keyhole’ surgical procedure carried out with the aid of a camera. A small incision is made in the abdominal wall, through which a laparoscope, a flexible lighted tube with a camera attached, is inserted to view the hernia site. The surgery is carried out with instruments inserted in other small cuts in the abdomen. Laparoscopic hernia repair permits a shorter hospital stay and shorter recovery time with less pain. It may be done under local or general anaesthesia.moreLaparoscopic surgery, also known as ‘keyhole surgery’, is carried out with the aid of a camera inserted into the abdomen or pelvis. A small incision is made in the abdominal wall through which alaparoscope, a flexible lighted tube with a camera attached, is inserted so that structures within the abdomen and pelvis can be examined. The abdominal cavity is made more visible by distending it with an absorbable gas, usually carbon dioxide. A number of major and minor surgeries may be carried out. A variety of tubes and long, narrow instruments can be inserted through the same incision in the skin, or via other small incisions, facilitating a number of procedures without the need for a large surgical incision. The surgeon uses these instruments to manipulate, cut and sew tissue. A number of procedures can be performed laparoscopically, including gallbladder removal (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), oesophageal surgery (laparoscopic fundoplication), colon surgery (laparoscopic colectomy), and surgery on the stomach and spleen. Most patients receive general anaesthetic during the procedure.moreReflux surgery, also called fundoplication, is a technique to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD involves inflammation, pain (heartburn), and complications that result when acidrefluxes (regurgitates) from the stomach into the oesophagus. Normally, there is a barrier to acid reflux. One part of this barrier is the muscle of the oesophagus called the lower oesophageal sphincter, which closes off the oesophagus from the stomach most of the time. With GERD, the sphincter does not work as it should and allows acid from the stomach to go back up into the oesophagus. During fundoplication, the part of the stomach closest to the oesophagus is gathered, wrapped and sutured (stitched) around the lower end of the oesophagus and the lower oesophageal sphincter. This increases the pressure at the lower end of the oesophagus and so reduces acid reflux. Fundoplication may be done with a laparoscope, a flexible lighted tube with a camera attached, which is inserted through a small incision in the abdominal wall. Other small incisions allow instruments to be inserted. This is usually done under general anaesthetic. Laparoscopy usually means a shorter hospital stay.more