This is an information resource designed to help you understand the nature of a medical condition and the surgical procedure most commonly used to treat it.
Your doctor has recommended that you undergo laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. But what exactly does that mean?
Gastric Bypass is a surgical procedure used to help a patient lose weight.
It is usually recommended to help those who are morbidly obese - meaning that their weight problem has become a serious health risk.
Most severely overweight patients overeat. Food enters the body through the mouth, travels down the esophagus where it collects in the stomach.
From there, digested food passes into the small intestine. Nutrients taken from the food pass from the small intestine into the bloodstream.
Waste travels to the colon and leaves the body through the anus.
Your doctor has recommended that you undergo lens replacement surgery to treat a cataract. But what does that actually mean?
The human eye is constructed like a camera - with a clear lens in the front. The lens is located just behind the iris. It is contained in an elastic capsule. This capsule will serve as the housing for the new lens. All light that enters the eye has to pass through this lens.
As we age, this lens can become cloudy and gradually lose its ability to focus properly. This is called a cataract.If left untreated, a cataract can grow steadily worse - interfering more and more with your vision.
Generally, replacing a cataract with an artificial lens is a simple procedure.
It usually involves a single incision in the white of the eye. Through this single opening the cataract is removed and the artificial lens is inserted.
Your doctor has recommended that you have surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. But what does that actually mean?
Rotator cuff is the term given to describe a group of four tendons that work together to support and stabilize the shoulder joint.
Each tendon connects muscle to bone.
When a shoulder muscles contracts, it pulls on a tendon which in turn pulls on the upper arm bone and causes it to move. When one or more of these tendons become damaged, the arm loses strength and mobility.
So make sure that you ask your doctor to carefully explain the reasons behind this recommendation.
Your heart is located in the center of your chest. It is surrounded by your rib cage and protected by your breastbone. Your heart's job is to keep blood continually circulating throughout your body.
The vessels that supply the body with oxygen-rich blood are called arteries.
The vessels that return blood to the heart are called veins.
Like any other muscle in the body, the heart depends on a steady supply of oxygen rich blood. The arteries that carry this blood supply to the heart muscle are called coronary arteries.
Sometimes, these blood vessels can narrow or become blocked by deposits of fat, cholesterol and other substances collectively known as plaque.
Before we talk about treatment, let's start with a discussion about the human body and about your medical condition.
Your doctor has recommended that you have surgery to treat an abdominal aortic aneurysm. But what does that actually mean?
The aorta is the main blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the organs in your body.
An aneurysm is a bulge or swelling in a blood vessel.
This type of bulge occurs when a blood clot ... or blood clots develop in the aorta, causing to expand.
In your case, your doctor has determined that a portion of the aorta passing through your abdomen - the area between your legs and your chest - has developed a blood clot. In most cases these clots are caused by fatty deposits that build up inside the arteries.
Your doctor has recommended that you have radical mastectomy. But what does that actually mean?
Radical Mastectomy is the removal of the breast and surrounding tissue. In most cases, mastectomy is required in order to remove cancerous tissue from the body.
The extent of tissue removed is determined by the amount of cancer present in your body.
A Radical Mastectomy is the most extensive form of breast cancer surgery. It calls for the complete removal not only of the breast, but also of the lymph nodes, as well as part or possibly all of the chest muscle that lies underneath the breast.
Lymph nodes are small junctions that join the vessels that make up the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system circulates a bodily fluid called lymph in the same way that the circulatory system carries blood.
Your doctor has recommended that you undergo a radical mastectomy because the cancer in your breast may have begun to move into the lymph nodes under your arm as well as into your chest muscle.
This procedure may result in the loss of some muscle strength in the arm on the effected side of the body and will permanently change the outward shape and appearance of your chest. So make sure that you ask your doctor to carefully explain the reasons behind this recommendation.
Your doctor has recommended that you - or your child - undergo surgery to remove you or your child's tonsils. But what does that actually mean?
Your tonsils are located in the throat at the back of your mouth - one on either side of the uvula. Together, your tonsils work to help fight infection entering the body through the mouth. They are part of your immune system.
Occasionally tonsils themselves become infected. This condition is called tonsillitis.
During an attack of tonsillitis, the tonsils can become inflamed and can cause fever and body aches. In addition, tonsillitis can increase the chance of other complicating illnesses, including:
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Your doctor has recommended that you undergo a cardiac catheterization. But what does that actually mean?
The heart is located in the center of the chest. It's job is to keep blood continually circulating throughout the body.
The blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart are called arteries.
The largest and most important of these is the aorta.
The vessels that bring blood back into the heart are called veins.
Sometimes, these blood vessels can grow narrower or become blocked in such a way that normal blood flow is restricted. In simple terms, a cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic procedure used when your doctor believes that blood is not flowing normally in and or around your heart.
In simple terms, a cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic procedure used when your doctor believes that blood is not flowing normally in and or around your heart.
During a cardiac catheterization, a heart specialist will insert a thin tube into an artery in the arm or leg and gently guide it towards the problem area in the heart.
Once the tube is in place, a special dye is injected and a series of x-rays are taken.
These x-rays allow your doctor to see exactly how blood is flowing in your heart.
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Your doctor has recommended that you undergo a Cystoscopy. But what exactly does that mean?
The lower urinary tract allows your body to store and release urine.
It's made up of two parts, the bladder and the urethra.
Your bladder is a hollow organ that expands as it fills with urine. Because it is made of muscular tissue, it can also contract and force urine to pass out of the body, through the urethra. Your urethra carries urine from the bladder to the outside of your body.
Your doctor feels that it is necessary to examine the interior of the urethra and bladder, to try to determine the cause of a problem that you may be having.
Symptoms that may call for a routine Cystoscopy include:
* Persistent infection of the urinary tract
* Bladder stones
* Bleeding while urinating
* Irritation due to polyps, or
* Changes to the bladder caused by cancer.
Cystoscopy is a simple procedure during which your doctor will insert a well-lubricated, instrument called a cystoscope through your urethra and into your bladder.
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Your doctor has recommended that you have a lower GI endoscopy. But what does that actually mean?
A lower GI endoscopy is a diagnostic procedure used by your doctor to inspect the inside of your rectum and colon. While it's considered a surgical procedure, endoscopy does not involve an incision.
Instead, your doctor will pass a flexible tube, called an endoscope through your anus and into your rectum and colon.
This tube has a tiny video camera mounted on its tip.
It also contains a small tool used for taking tissue samples.
Your doctor can use the endoscope to inspect the entire lower half of your digestive system.
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You doctor has recommended that you undergo hip replacement surgery. But what exactly does that mean?
The hip joint is the place where the thighbone - called the femur - and the hipbone - called the pelvis - meet.
As you walk, the ball-shaped end of the thigh moves within a cuplike depression on the side of the hip.
As long as the thigh can move smoothly against the hip, you are able to walk comfortably. But over time, especially in patients who suffer from arthritis or rheumatism, the hip joint can wear down.
Your doctor has recommended that you undergo a cardiac catheterization. But what does that actually mean?
The heart is located in the center of the chest. It's job is to keep blood continually circulating throughout the body.
The blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart are called arteries.
The largest and most important of these is the aorta.
The vessels that bring blood back into the heart are called veins.
Sometimes, these blood vessels can grow narrower or become blocked in such a way that normal blood flow is restricted. In simple terms, a cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic procedure used when your doctor believes that blood is not flowing normally in and or around your heart.
In simple terms, a cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic procedure used when your doctor believes that blood is not flowing normally in and or around your heart.
During a cardiac catheterization, a heart specialist will insert a thin tube into an artery in the arm or leg and gently guide it towards the problem area in the heart.
Once the tube is in place, a special dye is injected and a series of x-rays are taken.
These x-rays allow your doctor to see exactly how blood is flowing in your heart.
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Your doctor has recommended that you receive a permanent pacemaker implanted in your body. But what does that actually mean?
The heart is located in the center of the chest, enclosed by the breast bone and rib cage. By contracting in a rhythmic way, it causes the blood in your body to circulate.
A normally functioning heart beats at a rate of between 60 and 100 contractions per minute.
These contractions are triggered by a small piece of heart tissue called the SA node. The SA node generates a small electrical signal that is transmitted by nerves to the surrounding muscle. These electrical impulses are what cause the heart muscle to contract.
In some people, the SA node fails to cause the heart to contract with its normal rhythm, causing an abnormal heartbeat or arrhythmia. The most common form of arrhythmia, for which pacemaker surgery is often recommended, is bradyarrythymia - or slow heart rate.
There are a number of reasons why you may have developed an arrhythmia, but in most cases the problem is caused by a disruption in the SA node or in the system of nerves that conducts electrical signals to the heart muscle.
A pacemaker is a device that is designed to provide an electrical signal to the heart muscle and to help it maintain a proper rhythm. There are several types of pacemakers and the particular model selected for you will be based on your specific condition. But all pacemakers share a common design.
Your pacemaker will consist of two major pieces . . . a small metal box that contains a battery and other electronic components and an insulated wire, called a lead, which will carry the electrical impulses from the pacemaker to the heart.
Your pacemaker will be permanently implanted in your chest and, depending on your condition, either one or two leads will be attached to the heart muscle.
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Your doctor has recommended that you undergo gastric bypass surgery. But what exactly does that mean?
Gastric Bypass is a surgical procedure used to help a patient lose weight. It is usually recommended to help those who are morbidly obese - meaning that their weight problem has become a serious health risk.
Most severely overweight patients overeat.
Food enters the body through the mouth, travels down the esophagus where it collects in the stomach.
From there, digested food passes into the small intestine. Nutrients taken from the food pass from the small intestine into the bloodstream.
Waste travels to the colon and leaves the body through the anus.
The amount of food that a person eats is partly controlled by appetite.The stomach plays an important role in controlling appetite. When the stomach is empty, a person feels the urge to eat. When the stomach is full, that urge goes away.
Gastric bypass dramatically reduces the size of the stomach. With a smaller stomach, the patient is physically unable to eat large amounts of food. Gastric Bypass also shortens the small intestine so that the body absorbs less of the food eaten.
With less food entering the body, fat stores begin to be used. The patient loses weight.
So make sure that you ask your doctor to carefully explain the reasons behind this recommendation.
PreOp® Patient Education Company Your doctor has recommended that you undergo surgery to treat reflux disease. But what does that actually mean?
Your diaphragm is a muscle that separates your chest from your abdomen and helps you to breathe. Normally, the diaphragm has an opening for the esophagus to pass through where it connects with the stomach.
At this point, the ring-like layer of muscle which acts as a one-way valve sometimes becomes lax.
When you have reflux disease, the weakened muscle allows the contents of your stomach to back up into your esophagus.
This can cause considerable discomfort, often worse at night, with symptoms like heartburn, difficulty swallowing, chest pain and belching.
Reflux disease is often caused by a hiatal hernia, pregnancy, an ulcer or tumor of the esophagus.
About half of the patients with severe Reflux Disease often have a hiatal hernia, which is a tear in the diaphragm.
After allowing a few minutes for the anesthetic to take effect... a small incision is made above the umbilicus; then, a hollow needle will be inserted through the abdominal wall. And the abdomen will be inflated with carbon dioxide. An umbilical port is created for the laparoscope.
Four more incisions will be made, with care taken to keep the openings as small as possible. Once in place, the laparoscope will provide video images, so the surgeon can insert the instruments used to locate and pull back the liver... in order to see the upper part of the stomach.
Then, the surgeon cuts away the tissue that connects the liver and the stomach. Then the surgeon divides and separates the arteries that supply blood to the top of the stomach. After freeing the stomach from the spleen, your doctor wraps the upper portion of the stomach around the esophagus and sutures it into place.
A rubber tube is placed in the esophagus to keep the wrap from becoming too tight. All of the instruments are withdrawn... the carbon dioxide is allowed to escape... the muscle layers and other tissues are sewn together and the skin is closed with sutures or staples.
PreOp Patient Education Company Your doctor has recommended that you undergo a Splenectomy - or spleen removal surgery. But what does that actually mean?
The spleen is one of the organs in your body that works to clean your blood.
The Spleen is located behind the stomach... and to the left of the liver.
Specifically, the spleen picks out and destroys red blood cells that are no longer useful.
A Splenectomy is the surgical procedure used to permanently remove the spleen from the body.
Reasons for removing the spleen vary. Most spleen removal surgery is performed in an emergency situation, during which internal bleeding may be putting a patient's life at risk.
This program assumes, however, that you are not currently in an emergency setting. In your case, the reason for removing the Spleen may be to treat a blood disease, blood congestion, Gaucher's disease, white blood cell deficiency, the growth of a tumor, or the growth of cysts.
Occasionally the Spleen is removed as part of an action taken to determine the best course of treatment for Hodgkin's disease.
Once in place, the laparoscope will provide video images,
that allow the surgeon to carefully cut the ligaments that connect the spleen to the diaphragm as well as the spleen to the colon.
Now the doctor can gently pull the liver aside... then pull back the stomach to reveal the spleen.
All remaining tissue between the spleen and the stomach including small blood vessels, as well as the spleen and diaphragm are cut.
The main vessels that supply blood to the spleen - the splenic artery and the splenic vein are closed off and cut.
Finally, the spleen is maneuvered into a special retrieval bag where it is broken into smaller pieces...
and removed through one of the laparoscopic working ports.
All of the instruments are withdrawn... the carbon dioxide is allowed to escape...
and the skin is closed with sutures or staples.
Finally, sterile dressings are applied.
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Splenectomy surgery only rarely leads to complications.
In adults, the liver and other parts of the immune system are susceptible. In children however, the loss of the spleen can weaken the immune system.
In either case, your doctor may prescribe a series of antibiotics to help your body's immune system fight off bacterial infections - such as pneumonia and pancreatitis.
Another potential side effect of surgery is a persistent residual neuralgia - or pain - around the scar. It can be either localized or general.
It may develop soon after surgery - or even weeks or months later. Usually it will decrease in intensity with time. But in very rare situations it can become permanent. Patient Education
More frequently patients report achiness in the shoulders and chest. This is caused by the body's reaction to the carbon dioxide used to inflate the abdomen and it will clear up in a matter of a few days.
The most serious problem would likely be a puncture the bowel or liver. But these are very rare occurrences.
Finally, as mentioned earlier, the surgical team may decide to end the laparoscopic procedure and convert to open surgery.
