Under the expertise of Dr. Vijay Anand, our skilled surgical team at Sri Ramakrishna Specialty Hospital is committed to providing comprehensive and effective upper gastrointestinal surgery. We understand the impact that gastrointestinal diseases can have on your overall health and quality of life. Our goal is to offer advanced surgical solutions that alleviate symptoms and promote a speedy recovery.

What is Gastrointestinal Disease?

Gastrointestinal diseases affect the upper digestive tract, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Conditions such as hiatal hernia, gastritis, ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), Barrett’s esophagus, and cancers can affect these regions.

Causes

Various factors contribute to upper gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammation, smoking, alcohol consumption, long-term medication use, bacterial infections, and excessive secretion of digestive fluids.

Impact

Gastrointestinal disorders can significantly impact your health, quality of life, and psychological well-being. Symptoms like heartburn, difficulty swallowing, nausea, and loss of appetite can disrupt your daily activities and sleep patterns.

Anatomy of Gastrointestinal Disease

The upper gastrointestinal system consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Food is ingested, chewed, and mixed with saliva in the mouth, then passes through the esophagus to the stomach for digestion. The stomach secretes digestive enzymes and stores food before it enters the small intestine.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the condition but may include difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, heartburn, bloating, belching, regurgitation of food, and loss of appetite.

Diagnosis

To diagnose upper gastrointestinal diseases, your doctor may order tests such as:

1. Upper GI endoscopy or oesophagogastroduodenoscopy: A thin tube with a camera is inserted through the throat to examine the upper digestive tract.
2. Upper GI series: X-ray imaging after swallowing a barium preparation.
3. Twenty-four hour pH monitoring: Measures the acidity in the esophagus to detect acid reflux.
4. Impedance study: Measures both acidic and alkaline reflux.
5. Biopsy: Removal of tissue samples for further examination.
6. Imaging tests: PET, CT, MRI, and ultrasound may be used.

Treatments

Treatment options depend on the specific condition and its progression. They may include:

1. Medication: Prescription and over-the-counter drugs to manage symptoms and infections.
2. Lifestyle changes: Dietary modifications, smaller and more frequent meals, smoking cessation, and alcohol reduction.
3. Endoscopic resection: Non-invasive removal of cancerous tissue using an endoscope.
4. Balloon dilation: Inflating a balloon in the esophagus to alleviate constrictions.
5. Surgical intervention: When non-invasive methods fail, surgery may be recommended.

Surgical Treatment for Upper Gastrointestinal Diseases

1. Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication (LNF): This procedure is performed to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia. The upper part of the stomach is wrapped around the lower esophagus to create a valve, preventing the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus.
2. Laparoscopic Gastrectomy: It involves the removal of part or all of the stomach to treat stomach cancer. The remaining healthy tissue is then reconnected to restore digestive function.
3. Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy: This procedure is performed to treat achalasia, a condition characterized by the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax and allow food to pass into the stomach. The tight muscle fibers are divided to improve swallowing.
4. Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair: Hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach bulges through the diaphragm. Laparoscopic repair involves pushing the herniated portion back into place and closing the opening in the diaphragm to prevent recurrence.

Dr. Vijay Anand and his team at Sri Ramakrishna Specialty Hospital utilize their expertise in laparoscopic techniques to provide safe and effective upper gastrointestinal surgery. The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and a caring environment to ensure a comfortable experience for patients.