Fris, Robert J

Definitions

Endoscopy involves examining the inside of the body with an endoscope, a lighted, flexible instrument that has a small camera on the tip. There are many types of endoscopes, and endoscopy, namedaccording to the organs or areas they are used to examine (e.g. arthroscopy examines joints; bronchoscopy examines the lungs; cystoscopy examines the bladder and urethra; laparoscopy may examine the ovaries, appendix or other abdominal organs; colonoscopy examines the bowel). An endoscope is passed through a natural body opening (e.g. mouth) or a small incision. Small instruments can be inserted through an endoscope and used to take samples of tissues for analysis (biopsy), to remove material (e.g. removing polyps during a colonoscopy), or to carry out a surgical procedure.moreGeneral 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.moreObesity describes body weight and body fat that is much greater than what is healthy or desirable. Weight-loss surgery may be done for those who have not been able to lose weight with diet andexercise. The main aim is to reduce the size of the stomach to help achieve long-term weight loss. Three key procedures are: reducing the size of the stomach with an implanted band (gastric banding); removing part of the stomach (sleeve gastrectomy or biliopancreatic diversion); or by redirecting the small intestines to a small stomach pouch (gastric bypass). These procedures may be carried out in a minimally invasive way with the aid of a camera inserted into the abdomen. 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 stomach and intestines. The surgery is carried out with instruments inserted in other small cuts in the abdomen. Laparoscopic obesity surgery permits a shorter hospital stay and shorter recovery time with less pain. It is usually done under 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.moreA varicose vein is a swollen, twisted vein, usually near the skin surface in the leg. They can be unsightly and cause tired, heavy or painful limbs. In severe cases, the veins can rupture, or opensores (varicose ulcers) can form on the skin. Women are most frequently affected, and other factors include a family history of varicose veins and advancing age. Sometimes, absence or weakness of valves in veins, which prevent the backward flow of blood away from the heart, may be a cause. In other cases, weaknesses in the vein walls cause blood to pool. Less commonly, varicose veins are due to diseases such as phlebitis (inflammation of the veins). Treatment is not always necessary for varicose veins, although severe cases, especially those involving ulcers, require treatment. Often, the varicose veins are removed to let blood flow through the remaining healthy veins. This can be done by surgery (vein stripping) or by a non-invasive procedure called sclerotherapy. In this procedure, saline (salt water) or a chemical solution is injected into the varicose vein. The vein will harden and then disappear.more