Dr. Bhagyesh Patel

Hernia surgery is performed for the correction of a hernia which refers to the bulging of internal organs or tissues through an abnormal opening. It is easy to detect hernia through any pain or discomfort while lifting heavy objects, cough and strain during urination or bowel movements or during prolonged standing or sitting. It can be found in both men and women. The Hernia can be congenital or can be developed over a period of time. If it doesn’t get better over time and also does not go away by itself, then surgery becomes the only option.

Types of Surgery
There are two types of surgery for hernia treatment. One is the conventional open method, which requires an incision in the skin directly over the hernia. The other one is the Laparoscopic hernia repair in which surgery is performed using a small telescope known as a laparoscope. In this type of surgery minimal invasions are made and the hernia is repaired with only small incisions adjacent to the hernia. Most hernia operations are performed on an outpatient basis, which means that you can go home the very same day.

Tips for early recovery

1. Wear comfortable clothing with expandable waistbands.
2. Keep yourself active by moving around as much as you can as it increases circulation, which further speeds up healing.
3. Eat a diet rich in fibre, fresh fruits and vegetables.
4. Drink lots of water and other fluids to avoid constipation.
5. Do not lift any objects even if it is very light as it can bring back pain.
6. Do not to pick up things from the floor as it will be difficult to bend.
7. Hold a pillow against your stomach while sneezing or coughing to lessen the pain.
8. Use stool softener for a few days before and after surgery to help you with your bowel movements.
9. Avoid driving till the time you feel any pain and as long as you are taking narcotic pain medicines.
10. Band-Aids which cover the incisions should be changed as and when needed.
11. Refrain yourself from intercourse as it can be painful.
12. Check with your doctor when to take a shower so as not to hurt your incisions, and make sure to gently dry your incisions and replace the Band-Aids after taking a shower.
13. Do not consume any alcoholic drinks for at least 24 hours.

The tips mentioned above will definitely provide help to cope up with post surgery blues. However, in case of fever, excessive sweating, difficulty in urinating, bleeding or any prolonged pain consult your doctor immediately.

Under an antibiotic treatment of an Appendicitis patient, a surgical removal of the appendix, say Appendectomy is the primary procedure to cure Appendicitis. However, it is said that an antibiotic treatment of computed tomography (CT) proven which seems effective as the traditional surgical method termed as Appendectomy. Let’s dig it more to know whether the appendectomy or surgical method is required or just antibiotic treatment along with tomography can work too. If it can work or in case where surgical treatment can be avoided, would it be safe

What is Appendicitis?

Appendicitis is a medical condition where appendix in human body becomes inflamed. The appendix is a tube in our body with a length of 3 ½ inches long which elongates from the large intestine. Appendicitis is a medical emergency condition where the appendix has to be removed or eliminated from the body to cure the patient. If not removed or in case, left untreated, it can perforate, spill infectious liquid or even burst leading to severe inflammation in the abdominal cavity. Until it is treated with antibiotics or appendix gets removed, the inflammation can lead to further damage to abdominal cavity continues.

Why surgical procedure is required

Appendectomy is the most effective medical procedure for the treatment of acute appendicitis, however antibiotic treatment with a tomography has proven. It is also observed that most of the patients didn’t need any surgery or Appendectomy after their follow up to nearly one year. Even it is seen often that patients who had gone through the surgery didn’t have actually any such complications. But does that mean, such patient do not need medical surgery or does it prove that Appendectomy isn’t just required to remove appendix or cure Appendicitis? The answer is no! 

This is because when these two kinds of treatment and their respective results are compared in the non-inferiority trials to anticipate the effect of new treatment is not worse than prevailing one. As the outcome of this comparison, medical investigators learned that other than medical surgery, the antibiotic treatment doesn’t meet the expected marginal criteria in non-inferiority trials.

However, there is bit of relief to say that investigators found out 72.7 % of total patients getting recovered from the acute non-complex Appendicitis are undergoing antibiotic treatment. Complicated acute Appendicitis is mostly not cured by the antibiotic treatment. Another important observational difference between these two types of treatment is the reduced stay of surgical patients in hospital than antibiotic treatment patients.

Antibiotic treatment can be really be the exact cure for some patients, however, surgery gives more assurance. Therefore, it completely depends on the patient’s scale of Appendicitis, its complexity and professional guideline of doctors or surgeons for sure.

The thyroid disease is increasing rapidly in India and this is creating an alarming situation. According to the Indian express over 30% of Indians suffer from thyroid disorders. This makes it a possibility that every third Indian is suffering from this disease. As there are many ways to cure the disease but surgery is an effective way to cure the disease.

What is thyroid? 

It is a small gland located below the voice box at the front end of the neck. The function of the thyroid gland is to produce hormones that release through the blood in the body. Thyroid is good for maintaining the metabolism of the body. It also helps in the proper functioning of the organs. The problem occurs when thyroid starts to produce hormones in excess. 

Due to this excessive production body faces many changes such as swelling and growth of nodules. For treatment of this disease, thyroid surgery is necessary. In thyroid surgery, the whole or portion of the thyroid gland is removed. 

There are multiple reasons why surgery is required to cure thyroid such as

• Presence of nodules on the thyroid gland: The growth of nodules are the reason why surgery should be preferred as some nodules can be gentle but in some cases, these nodules can be very dangerous as nodules can be cancerous. And, these nodules help in the overproduction of the hormones. As these nodules, if not removed can become large enough that they hinder the functioning of the throat. So surgery is a good option as nodule is removed so the cause of the problem is eliminated by it.
• Hyperthyroidism: The second reason is Hyperthyroidism. As it can be cured by the surgery. Hyperthyroidism is caused by the Grave's disease. What it does is that it interrupts the functioning of the body. The body attacks the thyroid glands by the antidotes. Which intensify the production of hormones, which causes overproduction. Therefore, surgery is the most suitable option.
• Swelling and enlargement: As due the excess of hormones. The swelling is caused in the throat this disrupts the functioning of throat and throat gets blocked due to swelling. It effects the speaking, breathing and eating . This swelling and enlargement is called goiter. This goiter can be removed through surgery. As medicine takes a lot of time to heal the swelling.

Moreover apart from things mentioned above surgery is the most suitable way to cure thyroid it takes less time than the medication. The type of the surgery depends on the nature of your thyroid. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

What is Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal Surgery (Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy)?

Gallbladder removal is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures. Gallbladder removal surgery is usually performed with minimally invasive techniques and the medical name for this procedure is Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy or Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal.

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that rests beneath the right side of the liver. Its main purpose is to collect and concentrate a digestive liquid (bile) produced by the liver. Bile is released from the gallbladder after eating, aiding digestion. Bile travels through narrow tubular channels (bile ducts) into the small intestine. Removal of the gallbladder is not associated with any impairment of digestion in most people.

What Causes Gallbladder Problems?

Gallbladder problems are usually caused by the presence of gallstones which are usually small and hard, consisting primarily of cholesterol and bile salts that form in the gallbladder or in the bile duct.

It is uncertain why some people form gallstones but risk factors include being female, prior pregnancy, age over 40 years and being overweight. Gallstones are also more common as you get older and some people may have a family history of gallstones. There is no known means to prevent gallstones.

These stones may block the flow of bile out of the gallbladder, causing it to swell and resulting in sharp abdominal pain, vomiting, indigestion and, occasionally, fever. If the gallstone blocks the common bile duct, jaundice (a yellowing of the skin) can occur.

Diagnosing 

1. Ultrasound is most commonly used to find gallstones.
2. In a few more complex cases, other X-ray test such as a CT scan or a gallbladder nuclear medicine scan may be used to evaluate gallbladder disease.

Gallstones do not go away on their own. Some can be temporarily managed by making dietary adjustments, such as reducing fat intake. This treatment has a low, short-term success rate. Symptoms will eventually continue unless the gallbladder is removed. Treatments to break up or dissolve gallstones are largely unsuccessful.

Surgical removal of the gallbladder is the time-honored and safest treatment of gallbladder disease.

What are the Advantages of Performing Laparoscopic Gallbladder Removal?

1. Rather than a five to seven inch incision, the operation requires only four small openings in the abdomen.
2. Patients usually have minimal post-operative pain.
3. Patients usually experience faster recovery than open gallbladder surgery patients.
4. Most patients go home the same day of the surgery and enjoy a quicker return to normal activities.

Are you a Candidate?

Although there are many advantages to laparoscopic gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy), the procedure may not be appropriate for some patients who have severe complicated gallbladder disease or previous upper abdominal surgery. A thorough medical evaluation by your personal physician, in consultation with a surgeon trained in laparoscopy, can determine if laparoscopic gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) is an appropriate procedure for you.