What is the scope of GI Surgery or Gastrointestinal Surgery?

GI surgery or Gastrointestinal surgery includes various surgical techniques to diagnose and treat GI disorders. It is a procedure that can be done on both the upper and lower GI tracts, depending on where the problem or disease is located.

Some disorders for which GI surgery is necessary to include:

Oesophageal disorders
Inflammatory bowel disease
GI bleeding
Pancreaticobiliary disorders
Liver disorders
Colorectal cancer
Cleft lip or palate repair
Surgery to remove tumors
Removal of the affected part of the gastrointestinal organ, e.g., appendicitis, etc.
Reconstructive surgeries
Treatment of GERD
Cholecystectomy

Who is a gastro surgeon?

Gastro surgeons are known as a surgical gastroenterologists,
They are the specialists who specialize in surgeries of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum.
They are trained to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal (GI) tract diseases and associated/accessory digestive organs like liver, gallbladder, pancreas, etc.

Following are the examples of some of the diseases for which people visit gastrosurgeons for:

Oesophageal cancer
Bleeding disorders
Gall stones removal
Appendicitis
Barrett’s esophagus
Colon and bowel cancers, etc.

What are the different types of procedures in GI surgery?

Cholecystectomy – removing the gallbladder.
Appendectomy – removal of an infected appendix.
Adrenalectomy – removal of the growths in the adrenal glands.
Colon Surgery – Surgery of the colon.
Rectal Surgery – Surgery of the rectum and anus.
Bariatric Surgery – weight loss surgery for making the stomach smaller.
Foregut Surgery – surgery relating to the stomach, esophagus, or the upper portion of the small intestines.
Hiatal Hernia Repair.
Pancreatic Surgery
Nissen or Nissen fundoplication – surgery to treat severe gastric reflux diseases.
Splenectomy – removal of the spleen.
Abdominal Surgery
Adrenalectomy – removal of one or both adrenal glands.
Roux-en-Y – This surgery is used to treat obesity or severe reflux.
Whipple Procedure (Pancreaticoduodenectomy) – surgery to treat cancer or other growths in or on the pancreas.

What are the comorbidities, complications, organs affected, signs, and symptoms of gastroenterological problems?

Comorbidities
Functional dyspepsia,
GERD,
Chronic constipation,
Hypertension,
Pancreatitis,
Hepatitis,
Genetic disorders,
High levels of acid in the stomach,
Tumors or cancerous growth in any part of the GI tract,
Cardiovascular diseases
Disorders of the blood vessels (thinning of the walls, etc.),
Obstruction of any ducts or tubes, etc.

Complications
Constipation
Fecal impaction
Bowel obstruction
Diarrhea
Bacteremia
Dental abscess
Mouth cancer
Varices
Coagulation disorders
Esophageal stricture
Esophageal ulcer
Esophagitis
GERD, Dysphagia
Orchitis, Oophoritis
Nerve damage
Bleeding
Peritonitis
Perforations
Jaundice
Ruptured appendix
Sepsis
Kidney failure
Hypoglycemia, Hypokalemia
Toxic megacolon
Strangulation of intestines
Liver failure
Cirrhosis
Hepatic encephalopathy
Malnutrition
Cholestasis
Splenomegaly

Organs affected
Mouth
Teeth
Salivary glands
Oesophagus
Stomach
Large and Small intestines
Liver
Pancreas
Gallbladder

Signs and Symptoms
Swollen, tender gums
Tooth sensitivity
Cavities
Dysphagia
Fever
Dry mouth
Vomiting blood
Black, tarry, or bloody stools
Ascites
Jaundice
Heartburn, Chest pain
Acid reflux
Loss of appetite
Pneumonia
Stomach ulcers
Nausea and Vomiting
Unintentional weight loss
Indigestion
Intolerance to fatty foods
Dehydration
Inability to pass gas
Diarrhea or constipation
Abscesses
Fatigue
Swelling or bulge in the scrotum or the groin area.
Abdominal swelling
Anemia
Muscle cramps, joint pain
Dark urine
Intense itching
Hepatomegaly
Steatorrhea
Increased heart rate
Dizziness
Lethargy
Blood clot
Biliary colic

GI surgery: diagnostic tests

You must be wondering What are the different diagnostic tests performed before GI surgery. Here is the list.

1. Physical examination

Swelling,
Color changes of skin and whites of the eyes,
Rashes, mouth ulcers,
Fever,
Dehydration,
Weight loss,
Evaluation of lymph nodes,
Hernia,
Pulse rate,
Breathing rate, etc.

2. Diagnostic tests (Endoscopic procedures)

Colonoscopy,
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP),
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD or upper endoscopy),
Sigmoidoscopy, etc.

3. Laboratory procedures

Blood tests – to test for specific antigens, immunoglobulins, etc.
Blood culture – the presence of abnormal bacteria in the blood.
Breath tests

A hydrogen breath test,
Glucose hydrogen breath test,

Lactose and fructose hydrogen breath tests, etc.
Fecal occult blood test to check for hidden (occult) blood in the stool.
Stool culture – the presence of abnormal bacteria in the GI tract, for example, H. pylori, etc.

4. Radiographic diagnostic procedures

MRI,
CT scan,
X-rays,
Barium swallow,
Ultrasound,
Colorectal transit study,
Defecography,
Upper GI barium enema (aka. Upper gastrointestinal series),
Lower GI barium enema (aka. Lower gastrointestinal series),
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP),
Oropharyngeal motility (swallowing) study,
Radioisotope gastric-emptying scan, etc.

GI surgery: surgical treatments

Following are the surgical treatments for gastrointestinal disorders

Minimally Invasive GI Surgical Procedures
Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy
Laparoscopic Appendectomy
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Laparoscopic Colon Surgery
Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Laparoscopic Nephrectomy
Laparoscopic Pancreatic Surgery
Laparoscopic Splenectomy
Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair

Open GI Surgical Procedures
Abdominal surgery
Adrenalectomy
Appendectomy
Breast biopsy
Colon resection
Nissen fundoplication
Roux en-Y
Whipple

What is the consultation cost for a Gastro surgeon?

The average cost for consulting Diabetology India ranges between INR 500-1000. The cost of consultation in major cities of India are as follows –

· New Delhi – INR 300 to 2000
· Mumbai – INR 500 to 2000
· Chennai – INR 300 to 1000
· Bengaluru – INR 300 to 1000
· Hyderabad – INR 100 to 1000

References:

Practo – for consultation fees.
https://www.umms.org/