Adroit Centre for Digestive and Obesity Surgery. Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has now replaced open cholecystectomy as the first-choice of treatment for gallbladder stone and inflammation of the gallbladder. Very small (1 cm and 1/2 cm) incisions are made through which the surgeon introduces a laparoscope (lens) and specialized instruments to perform the extraction of the gall bladder. This is a safe procedure that provides several benefits in the post-operative period. This includes less pain, faster recovery, lower infection rate and less chances of incisional hernias. It also leads to faster return to normal activities.

In simple language hernia is a defect in the abdominal wall, through which the abdominal contents like intestine, omentum (intra- abdominal fat) or other organ protrude or bulge out forming a swelling. Usually the swelling increases on straining, coughing, walking and causes discomfort.

Although “heartburn” is often used to describe a variety of digestive problems, in medical terms it is actually a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease. In this condition, the acids from the stomach reflux or accidently “back up” into the esophagus (food pipe). Heartburn is described as a harsh, burning sensation in the area in between your ribs or just below your neck. The feeling may radiate through the chest and into the throat and neck. Many adults in the United States experience this uncomfortable, burning sensation at least once a month. Other symptoms may also include vomiting, difficulty swallowing and chronic coughing or wheezing.

What is Achalasia Cardia? Achalasia, also known as esophageal achalasia, achalasia cardia , cardiospasm, and esophageal aperistalsis is a disorder of the esophagus (food pipe) in which the nerves and muscles do not work properly, causing swallowing difficulties, sometimes chest pain, regurgitation (food coming back in throat) and its consequent coughing and breathing problems (if food gets into the lungs). The cause of achalasia is unknown; however, there is degeneration of the esophageal muscles and, more importantly, the nerves that control the muscles. Achalasia is a rare disease of the muscle of the esophageal body and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). LES is a valve made of muscles at the lower end of food pipe (Esophagus) which opens when a person swallows foods and functions to prevent the food from coming back from stomach to esophagus after eating. In Achalsia this valve do not open on swallowing as it should do normally. Also the muscles of the food pipe which contract and send the food down normally do not work properly. Both the things together makes the food to retain in the food pipe for a longer time. Gradually with time if no treatment is done the food pipe enlarges and collects a large amount of food inside. A person can vomit (regurgitate this collected food hours after eating undigested).This food coming back may go to Trachea (airpipe) and Lungs in sleep causing cough and pneumonia. As muscles of foodpipe do not function as it should it is called an esophageal motility (activity of muscle) disorder.

An endoscopy is a procedure where the inside of your body is examined using an instrument called an endoscope. An endoscope is a long, thin, flexible tube that has a light source and camera at one end. Images of the inside of your body are relayed to a television screen. Endoscopes can be inserted into the body through a natural opening, such as the mouth and down the throat, or through the bottom. An endoscope can also be inserted through a small cut (incision) made in the skin when keyhole surgery is being carried out.

Esophageal Surgeries Esophageal problems are among the most complex problems affecting the body. It requires evaluation by an expert handling these problems on a routine basis. The common problems affecting the esophagus that is our Food pipe are Gastro Esophageal Reflux disease It is one of the most common diseases affecting the humans. Though not life threatening, it is a major cause of poor quality of life. A specialised test called 24 hr pH and Impedance study is done to evaluate this condition accurately and plan treatment.