Upper Gi Surgery
Upper GI Surgery focuses on the surgical treatment of diseases affecting the upper part of the digestive system, which includes the esophagus, stomach, duodenum (first part of the small intestine), and associated organs like the pancreas and spleen. These surgeries are often required for conditions like cancers, ulcers, reflux disorders, and structural abnormalities.
Upper GI surgery plays a crucial role in both life-saving emergency interventions and planned surgeries for chronic or cancerous conditions. With the advent of laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques, many upper GI surgeries can now be performed with minimal pain, fewer complications, and faster recovery.
The upper gastrointestinal system includes the oesophagus (the food pipe), the stomach (food reservoir) and the duodenum (the first part of the small intestine). Common problems in this division include acid peptic disease, dyspepsia, achalasia cardia, hiatus hernia, gastric outlet obstruction, accidental ingestion of foreign bodies, corrosive injury esophagus, oesophageal cancer and gastric cancer. Other less common disorders including oesopahgeal diverticula, oesophageal leiomyoma, oesophageal perforation, tracheoesophageal fistula etc. Thoracoscopy, a novel technique of entering the thoracic cavity helps avoiding bigger incisions or opening of rib cage for surgical procedures on oesophagus. With this throacoscopic technique, outcome of oesophageal cancer treatment showed better results.
Conditions Treated
- Esophageal Cancer
- Stomach (Gastric) Cancer
- Hiatal Hernia
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Achalasia Cardia
- Peptic Ulcers and Perforations
- Gastric Outlet Obstruction
- Benign Esophageal Strictures
- Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs)
- Obesity (through Bariatric Procedures)
Common Upper GI Surgical Procedures
Here are the key procedures typically performed by Upper GI surgeons: