DIGESTIVE SYSTEM TERMS- COLONOSCOPY- CHOLELITHIASIS- GASTRIC STAPLING- HERNIOPLASTY

By: Maria R. GarciaPresentation: 8

Colonoscopy

Endoscopic examination of the colon and distal parts

A fiber optic camera is used with a flexible tube through the anus

It provides visual diagnosis.

A doctor examines for ulcerations, polyps and any suspicious lesions

A biopsy is performed of any suspected lesions

Preparation

The colon must be free of solid matter for the test to be performed properly

The day before the colonoscopy, the patient is given a laxative preparation

Since the goal of the preparation is to clear the colon of solid matter, the patient should plan to spend the day at home in comfortable surroundings the day before the test

Risks of Colonoscopy There is a low risk of complications, 0.35%

risk. Seeking an experienced doctor is best The most serious complication generally is

gastrointestinal perforation, which is life-threatening and requires immediate major surgery for repair.

As with any procedure involving anaesthesia, other complications would include cardiopulmonary complications such as a temporary drop in blood pressure

Colonoscopy preparation and colonoscopy procedure can cause inflammation of the bowels and diarrhea or even bowel obstruction

Minor colonoscopy risks may include nausea, vomiting or allergies to the sedatives that are used

Who should have a Colonoscopy?

The American Cancer Society “Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer” recommends beginning at age 50, both men and women for screening to find colon polyps and cancer

Subsequent re-screenings are then scheduled based on the initial results found, with a five- or ten-year recall being common for colonoscopies that produce normal results

It is recommended, patients with a family history of colon cancer should have their first screening during their teenage years.

Cholelithiasis Presence of gallstones A gallstone is a crystalline

concretion formed within the gallbladder by accretion of bile components

Presence of gallstones can cause obstruction of the bile ducts, which can lead to serious conditions such as ascending cholangitis or pancreatitis. These two conditions can be life-threatening, and are considered to be medical emergencies.

Characteristics of cholelithiasis

Gallstones can very in size. They can range from a grain of sand to the size of a golf ball

The composition of the gallstones are affected by age, diet and ethnicity

There are types of gallstones: cholesterol stones, pigment stones and mixed stones

The gallbladder may contain a single large stone or many small ones

Signs and symptoms of cholelithiasis Symptoms commonly

begin when the stones reach a certain size

Some have “silent stones” and do not require treatment

Some may have a “gallstone attack” in which a person will experience pain in the upper right abdomen as though they have been punched along with nausea and vomiting

Treatment for Cholelithiasis Sometimes gallstones can be dissolved by oral

ursodeoxycholic acid Surgical procedure called Cholecystectomy -

(gallbladder removal) it has a 99% chance of eliminating the recurrence of cholelithiasis

Two surgical options for a cholecystectomy:1. Open cholecystectomy: This procedure is performed via an incision into the abdomen (laparotomy) below the right lower ribs. Recovery typically consists of 3–5 days2.Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: This procedure,is performed via three to four small puncture holes for a camera and instruments

Gastric Stapling

In stomach stapling an incision is made in the abdomen. Staples and a plastic band are used to create a small pouch at the top of the stomach

A small opening is made at the pouch to allow digested food in the opening

The size of the pouch allows enough to eat 0.5 to 1 cup of food

Why is gastric stapling done? Obesity is on the rise and this procedure is to help

those with a body mass index of 40 or higher This aggressive surgery can only be done if one has

not been able to lose weight with other treatments To be considered for this aggressive and risky

surgery the following conditions must be met -You have been obese for at least 5 years -You have no history of alcohol abuse -You do not have untreated depression or another

major emotional disorder -You are between 18 and 65 years of age

Does gastric stapling work?

If the surgery is successful one can expect to lose half of one’s excess weight in one year

Some patents have been successful at keeping the weight off

This procedure will take commitment and change in eating habits

Studies have shown only 1 out of 5 people have kept the weight off

Gastric stapling risks

As with any surgery there are risks. Gastric stapling has been known to cause infection in the incision, a leak from the stomach into the abdominal cavity, a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism). Some develop gallstones or a nutritional deficiency condition such as anemia or osteoporosis

Fewer than 10 out of 1000 people die after weight-loss surgery

A second operation may be needed because the connection between the stomach and intestines narrows, which leads to vomiting and acid reflux

Hernioplasty

Surgical repair of a hernia

This surgery is performed to push back the bulging of internal organs or tissue

Hernias can occur in the abdomen, groin, diaphragm and at the site of a previous operation

Hernia signs and symptoms

One can often see and feel a bulge for example in the groin or in another abdominal area. When standing the bulge becomes more obvious and sticks out like a ball. Other symptoms include pain in the groin that may also include a heavy or dragging sensation, and in men, there is sometimes pain and swelling in the scrotum around the testicles area

Causes of Hernia

Some causes of a hernia are due to lifting heavy items, hard coughing, weak muscles due to poor nutrition, straining during a bowels movement and obesity

If not treated the hernia can lead to strangulation, obstruction and loss of blood supply

Doctor’s suggest to not lift heavy items and not strain muscles as to avoid a hernia

Hernia treatment

Most hernias are done with out patient surgery and can be treated surgically (laproscopic)

A surgeon pushes back the weakened tissue with a standard synthetic material called a “mesh”. It is placed over the defected area

Hernia complications

Studies show that people have less pain after laparoscopic surgery and return to work and other activities quickly

However, Complications can occur post operation. One’s body can reject the mesh material and can cause infection, swelling and pain around the mesh area. Thus the mesh will need to be removed

The chance of a hernia coming back after surgery ranges from 1 to 10. The risk of a hernia coming back after surgery varies depending on a surgeon's experience, type of hernia, if mesh is used, and the person's age and health.