FAQs
A hernia is a visible swelling or bulge over the abdomen, which occurs due to a weakness or tear in the abdominal muscles. Hernias commonly occur at the navel (umbilical hernia), in the groin (inguinal hernia) and over previous surgical scars (incisional hernia), but there are several other types of hernia as well. You may experience pain or discomfort at the site of hernia, but just as often, there may be a painless swelling. If left untreated, a hernia may develop complications like obstruction or strangulation, which require emergency surgery..
Most patients who develop a hernia will require surgical treatment. At Dr. Muffi Digestive Health Institute, you will first be examined by an expert surgeon to confirm the diagnosis of a hernia. Post that, a surgical treatment plan will be chalked out that is suitable for your specific type of hernia. In most hernia surgeries today, a mesh is placed over the weakness or defect in the abdominal wall muscle in order to reinforce and strengthen it, and to prevent the internal organs from bulging out.
In any laparoscopic surgery, there is no large cut and no open wounds. Since the entire surgery is performed through tiny cuts, the patient feels very little pain; the recovery period is shorter; and the cosmetic outcome is excellent.
On an average, the surgery may take between 30* to 90* minutes. You will then be observed in the recovery room for a couple of hours, before being transferred back to your own room. You may be discharged the same day or the next day. You will be able to walk and move around on the day of the surgery. You will also be able to resume all daily activities within the next few days, including returning to work.
As the colon and rectum needs to be completely empty before surgery, you will be given medication prior to surgery to cleanse the intestines. You may also need to be on a liquid diet for a few days prior to surgery.
FAQs
Pancreatic surgery is recommended for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and those suffering from diseases of the pancreas, such as chronic pancreatitis, benign tumors and cysts. Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery is an advanced procedure performed by surgeons with vast expertise. It may not be suitable in every case of pancreatic disease.
The advantages of laparoscopic hernia surgery are smaller surgical cuts, better cosmetic outcome, less pain and early recovery.
Pancreatic surgeries, even when done laparoscopically, are complex. As such, the duration of surgery and hospital stay will depend on the disease being treated and each patient’s post-operative condition. On an average, you can resume your normal routine between a week to ten days after surgery.
FAQs
Also known as Video-Assisted Thoracoscopy (VATS), this is a procedure that allows for the the internal examination, biopsy and surgical treatment of diseases of the lungs, the pleura (envelope lining the lungs), esophagus or thymus. The internal examination is done using a telescope attached to a camera.
It is the procedure of choice for conditions that require biopsy
of the lung or pleura; or for treating infections of the
pleural lining (chronic empyema). VATS is also recommended
for removal of esophageal tumors or the thymus in case of
enlargement.
However, before surgery is advised, you will require a consultation
with our surgical experts and they will advise investigations
and tests as required.
Since thoracoscopy is done via cuts no larger than 1 cm, there is much less pain than in open surgery. It is also easier to breathe and cough after undergoing a thoracoscopy, reducing the chances of developing infections such as pneumonia.
The surgery may last 1 to 3 hours, depending on the disease and complexity of the procedure. Post-surgery stay in hospital and recovery will also vary from case to case. While you can move around a day after surgery, the time taken to resume normal routine is different for each patient.
Some patients may require the insertion of an Inter-Costal Drainage (ICD) tube in the chest, which will usually be removed prior to discharge. For every patient that has undergone VATS, it is very important to do the chest exercises recommended by our physiotherapists, as this will help to clear out chest secretions and decrease the risk of infections.
FAQs
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the recommended surgery for those with gallstone disease and its complications such as inflammation (cholecystitis), infections (empyema), perforation, etc.
Cholecystectomy was one of the first surgeries to be done laparoscopically, and now there are very few situations in which an open surgery would be required. In any laparoscopic surgery, there is no large cut and no open wounds. Since the entire surgery is performed through tiny cuts, the patient feels very little pain; the recovery period is shorter; and the cosmetic outcome is excellent.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be done as a daycare procedure. However, in case you have an infection of the gall bladder or any other conditions like hypertension, diabetes, etc, you may need to get admitted to the hospital one day prior to surgery, and discharged the day after surgery. You will be able to walk around on the day of surgery itself, and will be on a normal diet from the next day. You will be able to resume your normal routine, including going back to work, within the next few days.
There are no specific precautions required after this surgery.
At Dr. Muffi Digestive Health Institute, we also provide laparoscopic treatment for complications of gallstone disease such as rupture of gall bladder, development of fistula with the bile duct or duodenum, stones in the bile duct (choledocholithiasis) or infection (empyema). Our surgical team is also experienced in the treatment of other biliary diseases, such as choledochal cysts, laparoscopically.
FAQs
Foregut diseases include GERD (Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease), para-esophageal hernia and achalasia cardia, among others and these conditions usually require surgical treatment. Laparoscopy is the technique of choice.
In any laparoscopic surgery, there is no large cut and no open wounds. Since the entire surgery is performed through tiny cuts, the patient feels very little pain; the recovery period is shorter; and the cosmetic outcome is excellent.
The surgery may last 60* to 120* minutes, depending on the condition of the disease and type of surgery being performed. Typically, you will be discharged a day or 2* after surgery, and can resume normal routine over the next few days.
You will be prescribed a specific diet to follow for a few weeks after surgery. This will include a gradual progression from liquid to semi-solid and, finally, a regular diet.
Symptoms such as heartburn, chest pain, difficulty in swallowing, regurgitation of food, acid reflux, etc are usually due to foregut diseases. At Dr. Muffi Digestive Health Institute, our team of surgical experts will examine you and recommend some tests that may include an esophago-gastro-endoscopy, manometry, 24 hour pH study, barium swallow, among others. These are necessary for diagnosis as well as for planning treatment.
FAQs
Laparoscopic splenectomy is indicated in cases of splenic cysts and tumors like lymphoma. It might also be recommended for blood-related disorders such as hereditary spherocytosis, idiopathic thrombocytopenia, hyper-splenism, etc.
Laparoscopic splenectomy is done through small cuts on the abdomen; the spleen is removed via a small incision (usually around 5 cm) which is made over the bikini-line. There is no large cut and no open wounds. Since the entire surgery is performed through tiny cuts, the patient feels very little pain; the recovery period is shorter; and the cosmetic outcome is excellent.
The procedure lasts about 90* to 120* minutes. You may need to stay in hospital for 2 to 3 days after surgery, depending on your recovery.
It is advisable to avoid vigorous physical activity, and contact sports for 2* to 3* weeks after surgery.
Is there anything else I need to know? Prior to surgery, you will need to be immunized with pneumococcal, influenza and meningococcal vaccines. This is in order to prevent overwhelming post splenectomy infection (OPSI). In case you develop a fever after a splenectomy, always speak to your doctor immediately and never take over-the-counter medication for it.
FAQs
Laparoscopic liver surgery can be conducted in the case of cystic liver diseases like simple liver cysts or hydatid cyst as well as for tumors like hemangiomas and sarcomas.
In any laparoscopic surgery, there is no large cut and no open wounds. Since the entire surgery is performed through tiny cuts, the patient feels very little pain; the recovery period is shorter; and the cosmetic outcome is excellent.
TThe surgery may take 90* to 150* minutes. As such, the duration of surgery and hospital stay will depend on the disease being treated and each patient’s post-operative condition.
It is advisable to avoid vigorous physical activity, and contact sports for 2* to 3* weeks after surgery.