Laparoscopic Surgery

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Laparoscopic Surgical Procedures

There are a number of different types of Hernia, resulting in a difference in physical occurance (where the hernia development).

Hernia develops when a piece of tissue/organ protrudes through a weakness in the muscles which make up the abdomen wall. This results is a bulge (hernia) appearing in the abdomen, or groin.

Hernia surgery is generally recommended for all hernias to avoid complications such as strangulation (in which a loop of intestine becomes tightly trapped in a hernia, cutting off the blood supply to that part of the intestine). Surgery is not always needed - particularly if the hernia is small and not causing any symptoms. It is important to see a General Surgeon for this diagnosis.

Keyhole Hernia Surgery

The keyhole operation is performed under a general anaesthetic using 3 small incisions in the lower abdomen.
Unlike the open operation, there is no muscles cutting involved in the keyhole surgery; hence less pain.
The abdomen is not entered, and the dissection is carried out between the muscles and the lining of the abdomen [peritoneum], which gives the operation an added safety.
The hernia sac is dissected and pushed back.
The defect in the abdominal muscle wall is patched up with a non-absorbable [permanent] mesh, similar to patching up a tire.
The mesh is placed under no tension. No staples are used to fix the mesh, as these may trap the nerves and cause more pain; they have been shown to be unnecessary.
The skin is closed with a dissolvable suture or by tissue glue, so no sutures need to be removed. You may therefore have a shower or a bath at any time after the operation.

Gallbladder Removal - Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Mr Ashraf Rasheed specialises in the laparoscopic (keyhole / minimally invasive) treatment of gallbladder diseases.

Benefits of gallbladder surgery

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of a diseased gallbladder using keyhole surgery.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not require cutting of the abdominal muscles. This results in reduced pain, faster healing, improved cosmetic/aesthetic results, and fewer post-surgery complications such as infection and adhesions.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has replaced the open (conventional) cholecystectomy and is now the gold standard treatment for gallstones and inflammation of the gallbladder.

Acid Reflux - Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux

Gastro-Oesophageal reflux disease or as widely known, acid reflux - is caused by return of acidic stomach juices, food and/or fluids, back up into the oesophagus due to a lax valve with or without hiatus hernia.

Heartburn is the most common symptom of gastro-oesophageal reflux and is often described as a harsh, burning sensation behind the breastbone, often accompanied by a sour taste and a sensation of food coming back into the mouth. It often gets worse when the person eats, bends over or lies down.

Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD)
Anyone experiencing heartburn more than twice a week may have gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and should see a specialist. Almost everyone experiences reflux and heartburn at one time or another, however prolonged and frequent acid in the lower oesophagus can cause injury such as inflammation, ulceration, scar formation, and stricture and, after a long period of time, even cancer. Some people have severe symptoms with no tissue damage, while others may have few symptoms and much tissue damage.

There are 3 treatment options for GORD:

Life Style Changes
Changing diet, small dry meals and taking over-the-counter antacids can reduce the frequency and the severity of the symptoms. Losing weight, reducing or eliminating smoking and alcohol consumption, and altering eating and sleeping patterns can also help.

Medical Treatment
The easiest way to treat reflux symptoms is to block acid production in the stomach. In most cases, acid irritation causes the symptoms. Acid can be blocked by using several medications. More than half of all patients get better with acid-suppression therapy. Many physicians will treat a patient who has reflux with acid suppression for about two months before pursuing other treatment.

Surgery (Laparoscopic Fundoplication)
Laparoscopic (keyhole) fundoplication is very effective in correcting gastro-oesophageal reflux by repairing the lax stomach valve that is allowing acid to back up into the oesophagus.