The stomach has unique anatomical features that enable it to perform digestive functions. A thick layer of mucus is physically protective, bicarbonate neutralizes gastric acid, and stem cells quickly replace sloughed epithelial tissue.
Your surgeon makes a cut, called an incision, to gain access to the area they need to work on. Small tubes called drains may be placed to remove excess fluid from your cut. Visit https://www.drwesleyhigh.com/ to learn more.
Surgical procedures are often necessary for diagnosing and treating issues that affect your middle section, which includes the stomach, gallbladder, spleen and large and small intestines. These issues can be a result of trauma or infection, and they might cause a hernia or intestinal blockages. Surgery can help you live a healthier life by addressing the problems that are causing pain, discomfort and other symptoms.
In addition to repairing hernias, reconstructive abdominal surgery can also restore the function of swollen organs or tissues that are affected by other conditions. A swollen gallbladder can be reshaped or removed with a procedure called a cholecystectomy. The appendix may be removed with an appendectomy. Your colon can be removed with a colonectomy, and a hernia in your rectal area can be corrected with a sigmoid colectomy or an ileostomy.
You might also need abdominal surgery for cancer or other diseases that affect your digestive system, or if you have an enlarged or ruptured stomach. In these cases, Dr. Zorc will tailor your surgical plan to your specific needs, and he uses advanced surgical techniques and cutting-edge medical technologies that help reduce your risk of complications.
Cosmetic abdominal surgery is a type of reconstructive abdominal surgery that improves your appearance after pregnancy or significant weight loss. This surgery tightens loose or sagging skin, and it can reduce rashes and infections that develop under large flaps of skin. It can be a good option if diet and exercise haven’t improved muscle tone.
Complex abdominal surgeries are performed in large medical centers that have the resources to handle these operations safely and effectively. Surgeons who specialize in this type of surgery have extensive experience with a wide range of procedures, including hernia repairs, resection of the spleen and pancreas (Whipple procedure), removal of the colon, rectum resection and treatment for bowel blockages or cancer. These operations typically take longer to perform and are associated with higher rates of blood loss, wound infection and complications in general. However, they offer better outcomes than traditional abdominal surgeries. In some cases, these surgeries can save your life if you have severe or complicated conditions.
Hernia Repair
A hernia occurs when a gap or hole forms in the strong tissue (fascia) that holds muscles in place. This can cause part of the inner lining of your abdomen to push through this gap into a sac. This can cause pain and may also cut off blood flow to the intestines, which is a medical emergency. Surgery can fix the hernia and restore blood flow. A hernia repair can be done with traditional open surgery or a laparoscopic procedure.
Your doctor will discuss your options. You may be able to have the operation under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The type of anesthesia depends on where the hernia is and how big it is. Anesthesiologists are experts in determining which kind of anesthesia is safe for you.
Before surgery, your doctor will review your medical history and examine you. If you are pregnant, you should tell your doctor right away because you will need to have a different kind of surgery.
You will need to stop taking some medicines before your surgery, such as aspirin and other drugs that increase bleeding. You will need to follow your doctor’s instructions about when to stop eating and drinking before the operation. You should also ask your doctor which medications you can take with a sip of water on the day of surgery.
For hernia repairs, your doctor may put a special mesh in the abdominal wall to strengthen it. This is usually done for umbilical hernias in infants and small adult hernias. For larger hernias, the surgeon pushes the fatty lump or loop of bowel back into your tummy and sews the muscle layers at the weak spot in the abdominal wall together to strengthen them.
After your hernia repair, you will need to drink lots of fluids and eat fiber to prevent straining during bowel movements. You will need to avoid heavy lifting or other strenuous activities. Your doctor will give you a pain medicine to help control your discomfort.
Spleen Removal
A surgeon may remove your spleen, also known as a splenectomy, if you have a blood disorder that increases your risk of rupturing or bleeding in the spleen. The most common reason is auto-immune thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP). This condition causes the platelets in your body to be destroyed. These are the cells that help your blood clot. In the majority of cases, a splenectomy can cure ITP.
During this procedure, you will receive general anesthesia. Before the surgery, your doctor will examine you and order blood tests to make sure you’re healthy enough for the operation. Your doctor will also order imaging tests to help them plan the procedure and see where the spleen is located in your abdomen.
If your spleen isn’t too large, your doctor can do this surgery using a procedure called laparoscopic splenectomy. During this minimally invasive procedure, your surgeon makes 3 or 4 small cuts in your belly. They put a thin tube with a camera on the end of it into one of these cuts. This lets them see pictures of your spleen and other internal organs on a TV monitor. They then insert other instruments into the other cuts to remove your spleen. They then close the cuts with stitches or staples.
You might have a little pain and bruising from the surgery for a week or so. Your doctor will tell you how to care for your incisions. You should shower only when your doctor says it’s OK and avoid baths, as the soaking can affect healing. You should be careful about getting cuts or scratches, as the area where your spleen was is now more susceptible to infection without this important organ. You should also take antibiotics to prevent infection and carry a medical alert bracelet that states you don’t have a spleen.
The best way to lower your risk of complications after spleen removal is to follow your doctor’s instructions exactly. Keep up with your scheduled follow-up appointments and vaccines and stick to a healthy diet of protein, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy. Incorporate gentle exercise, too, to improve circulation and aid in your recovery.
Traditional Surgery
Traditional surgery is the more invasive procedure and involves a sizable incision that allows your surgeon direct access to the abdominal organs. The surgeon can perform a wide range of surgical conditions using this method, including extensive cancer resections and major trauma surgeries. However, this type of surgery isn’t suitable for everyone and may have an increased risk of intraoperative complications compared to minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques.
This type of surgery is used for patients with severe health problems that may not respond to less invasive treatments. The surgery may also be recommended if the condition is urgent and requires immediate treatment to prevent a potentially life-threatening outcome.
Your doctor will discuss your medical history and perform a physical examination before the operation to determine if you are healthy enough for it. They may also order diagnostic imaging and tests, such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI, blood work and an EKG, to prepare for the surgery.
Depending on the nature of your surgery, your doctor will decide whether you need general or local anesthesia. In most cases, you will be given general anesthesia, which renders you unconscious and pain-free for the duration of the operation. You will also need to fast before the surgery, unless your doctor advises you otherwise.
Before performing the surgery, your doctor will make an incision on the abdomen. They will create a midline, paramedian, transverse or subcostal incision, or a chevron incision in some cases, depending on the area of the abdomen that needs to be operated on. They will then open the abdominal cavity and insert their instruments through tubes called trocars into the area where the surgery is required. Once the procedure is complete, they will close the incisions and sew up the skin and muscle tissue.
Your doctor will provide you with dietary guidance and guidelines after the surgery to support a speedy recovery. They will suggest you eat foods that are rich in protein, such as lean meats, fish and eggs, low-fat dairy products and vegetables, along with lots of water to keep yourself well hydrated.