Surgery - Treatment, Procedure And Side Effects

The liver has a significant role to play in metabolism and digestion. The failure of a liver can lead to significant health issues. There are some causes for liver failure, which cannot be treated with medications. In these people, a transplant, which is replacing the diseased or injured liver with another liver, is the only definitive treatment option.

Some conditions which can require a liver transplant are:

• Severe cirrhosis with a life expectancy of less than a year
• Severe liver failure
• Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
• Liver cancer
• Chronic hepatitis C
• Biliary atresia in children

Types of transplant:

• Living donor transplant: In some patients, partial liver can be removed from a close family member and transplanted into the affected individual. The liver is known for its regeneration ability, and over time, will grow in the recipient.
• Cadaveric transplant: Immediately after death, a liver can be removed and transplanted.

While the concept of a transplant sounds quite convincing and appealing for those with a severe liver disease, it is also important to note that not all would qualify for a liver transplant. The conditions which would disqualify a recipient are discussed below:

• Significant heart disease: Those with severe coronary artery disease, valvular disease, cardiomyopathy, aortic stenosis, and cardiomyopathy are not candidates for a liver transplant.
• Severe lung disease: Those with poor lung perfusion do not qualify for a liver transplant.
• Advanced age: Greater the age, lesser the survival rates. So, people aged more than 70 are usually not considered for a transplant.
• Obesity: A person with a BMI of more than 35 is often not a good candidate for a transplant. The overall health should be managed in these people.
• Malnutrition: On the other extreme, severely malnourished individuals are also not considered for a transplant.
• HIV infection: A person who is HIV-infected does not qualify for a liver transplant.
• Substance abuse: Anyone who is actively abusing alcohol and/or substances is definitely removed from the list for a transplant.
• Metastasis: If a patient is looking for a liver transplant due to hepatic cancer, it is essential that the cancer is contained. If it has spread to various parts, then containing it would be difficult, and a transplant may not succeed.
• Multisystem organ failure: Other than heart and lungs, even people with poor renal function are not ideal candidates for a liver transplant.

A detailed liver recipient evaluation assessing the severity of liver disease, chances of survival, and overall health are done before a person is listed for liver transplant. This evaluation ensures a better success rate with the transplant.

 The gallbladder is a very important organ in the human body. This is a pear-shaped organ which is used for storing the bile. Bile is a fluid which helps in digesting your food. When the gallbladder does not function well, then hard fragments will form in the gallbladder and they are calledgallbladder stones. The size of these stones differs from person to person. For a few people, they are just the size of a small rice grain and for few, it can be as large as a golf ball.

When gallbladder stones are formed, they will not vanish by themselves. They will cause pain and many other symptoms which are unbearable. You need to consult a doctor and you may have to get the gallbladder removed. This kind of gallbladder removal surgery is called cholecystectomy.

How are gallbladder stones removed?
More than 80 percent of people with gallbladder stones will need a cholecystectomy. This surgery can be performed in two different ways.

• Open gallbladder surgery: In an open gallbladder surgery, a 5-inch incision is made in the abdominal area which is not required for a laparoscopic surgery. Nowadays, people are opting for laparoscopic surgery for any kind of surgery as it is safe, less painful, requires a shorter stay at the hospital and there are fewer scars.
• Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery: In a laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, 4 small incisions are made in the abdominal area. A small tube with a very small camera and light will be inserted into the abdomen through one of the incisions made. Equipment required for the removal of the gallbladder is also inserted through the other incisions and the surgery is performed.

Before performing the laparoscopic gallbladder removal surgery, you will have to undergo a few tests such as blood test, complete physical test, gallbladder imaging tests and a review of your past medical history. After going through the reports of all these tests and checking all other medications that you take, your doctor will decide if you need gallbladder surgery or not.

Post Gallbladder surgery: Post-surgery, you may see some symptoms, but they are rare and mild. One of the common symptoms experienced after the surgery is diarrhea. You can start walking as soon as you start feeling better. But you should talk to the doctor in order to get back to your normal routine.

Regarding your diet, you will have to start with a liquid diet and make sure that you do not take heavy and fatty food. Your body will take some time to get back to digesting a normal diet and hence you will have to take good care.

It is always sensible to know what are the things that can be done or practised practiced after an operation so as to heal fast because as that it is the most crucial time when certain bad habits and food might have a negative reaction in our body thereby causing slow progresslowing the s in healing process and in certain cases even harming our body. While simultaneously on the other hand if consumed proper food is consumed after a surgery, it helps in fast recovery as well as provides remedial healing to a person.

So, if possible then it is sensible to follow the list of foods given below to getfor a quick recovery.

1. Lean proteins: Foods with lean protein in them have a high quantity of a substance known as collagen which is extremely essential in a the post- surgery stage. It is the collagen that helps to knit our muscles together and much faster in case the person has incisions from the surgery. These protein- rich foods will only help in gaining the right amount of energy required to heal fast as well as to help the muscles knit together faster. It does not mean though that a person has to increase the intake of only meat. Protein rich foods like such as fish, eggs and , beans can be takenconsumed.
2. Fermented dairy products: These foods are extremely essential in these times as during the surgery and well after it, the body has to take in a lot of antibiotic medicines. These medicines kill the harmful bacteria in our body but simultaneously kill the good bacteria along with it which our body needs. Foods like such as milk, butter, paneer help in the regrowth of these essential bacteria.
3. Fibre: After all the intake of medicines, our the normal elimination system of our body gets disturbed which can cause many further problems. It is thus always sensible to eat a certain amount of fibre rich foods like such as starchy vegetables or prunes which are easily soluble and will help in proper elimination.
4. Deep coloured vegetables: In the post-operative stage, the body requires a lot of antioxidants to kill the oxidative load on the body for which deep coloured vegetables like such as bell peppers or spinach or carrots are very helpful.
5. Orange fruits and vegetables: They provide pro- vitamin A to the body which when consumed converts itself to vitamin A. This is essential for the fast repair of tissues and mucus membranes in our body.
6. Mushrooms: Mushrooms provide energy and help in the reduction of inflammatory proteins by advancing boosting our immune system.
7. Cruciferous vegetables: Food like such as cabbage and cauliflower boost the immune system and helps to fight off the infections in our body.

Thus we can see how the intake of certain foods will not only accentuate our healing but also renew our system positively.
 

Most patients suffering from ulcerative colitis are advised to undergo a surgery as that is oftentimes, the last option remaining for them. Failure of other treatments to bear any results leads to the need for a surgery. There are two main categories of surgery options; however, the difference lies in where the waste pouch will be placed following the ulcerative colitis surgery.

A patient who is planning to go through the ulcerative colitis surgery procedure must be aware of the recovery period and its duration. Since the surgery is an invasive and an intensive procedure, the recovery time is lengthy. So, naturally, before you arrive at any decision it is recommended that you consult your doctor, surgeon and other healthcare professionals about the procedure.

Ulcerative colitis is not a curable disease, but if your colon and rectum are removed, the symptoms of ulcerative colitis can be treated. But educate yourself as you may still have to live with a number of side effects of the surgeries, even after the incisions have healed. This is the reason that you must prepare yourself both physically and mentally before making any decision, which should be based on the information available.

Tips for Quick Recovery
The recovery from ulcerative colitis is quite tricky. As it is an invasive surgical procedure, the recovery time is lengthy. However, you should not fret yourself with that. With the required care and doctor’s advice, you will be able to return to your daily life in full vigor. In order to improve your recovery and hasten the process, you will be given a detailed file of information that you must follow strictly. These tips are:

• After the surgery, you may have to remain in the hospital for 3 to 7 days. This is a mandatory protocol as it allows your surgeon to monitor your incisions and treat any complication or infections.
• Any procedure that you may opt for, a total of 4 to 6 weeks is a minimum requirement for recovery.
• During this time, you will be asked to meet your surgeon regularly and in some cases an enterostomal therapist as well. An enterostomal therapist is a specialized doctor who only deals with patients who have had their colon removed. So you should make an appointment with an enterostomal therapist, suggested by your doctor, and have him/her review your case.
• Eat nutritional healthy foods to avoid any complications.
• Stay hydrated by drinking at least 2-3 liters of water per day.
• A rehab therapist or a physical therapist will help you to move towards your normal life, by keeping you active and recommending rejuvenating exercises that won’t hamper your health.
• Manage stress and anxiety as they cause stomach issues.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

When other treatments fail to provide relief, the last resort to treat spine problems is the spine surgery. Spine surgery is conventionally referred to as open surgery which indicates that the area that needs to be operated is opened with a long incision so that the surgeon is able to view and have access to the anatomy.

In the recent times, advances in the field of medical science have made it possible to treat back and neck conditions through minimally invasive surgical techniques that don’t involve an elaborate incision. Let us understand more about it.

How is minimally invasive spine surgery carried out?
Minimally invasive spine surgery fusions and decompression processes are performed by exploiting different approaches. The most commonly utilized technique involves the use of the tubular retractor. In this process, the surgeon makes a small incision and then inserts the retractor through the skin right into the spinal column. It leads to a tunnel to the accurate area where the problem persists in the spine. The functionality of tubular retractor lies in the fact that it helps in holding the muscle open throughout the procedure.

A number of particular processes have been designated for the minimally invasive spine surgery. Some of the most common options include spinal decompression, discectomy, and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Each of these processes is different and only an expert in this arena can determine what’s suitable for you.

Minimally invasive spine surgery is also called less invasive spine surgery where surgeons make use of special instruments. One of the most compelling drawbacks of open surgery is that the pulling of the muscle can lead to damage to both the muscle and the tissues in close vicinity. On the other hand, minimally invasive spine surgery allows the surgeon to see the precise location of the affected area. Besides, it also leads to smaller incisions, reduced bleeding and short stay in the healthcare facility.

Consulting an expert about the surgery:
It is very important on part of the patients to discuss the suitability of minimally invasive spine surgery with their doctors since it is not a good option for all patients. It is generally suggested for patients having spinal tumours, spinal instability, spinal infections, vertebral compression fractures, lumbar spinal stenosis and spinal deformities like scoliosis.

When you know that you will have to undergo the surgery, it pays to gather information about the surgery and what you may expect from the recovery process. The most commendable benefits of minimally invasive spine surgery include better cosmetic results owing to lesser skin incisions and reduced dependence on the medications. Moreover, it is performed as an outpatient procedure and it makes use of local anaesthesia only. Thus, there is also a reduced chance of suffering from an adverse reaction to general anaesthesia.

So, depending on the pros and cons and depending on the individual condition, your doctor will decide on the course of action. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!