Constipation and Reflux Surgery
Primary operation required in a patient with chronic constipation is colonoscopy. A possible stenosis or tumor that may cause constipation in large intestines must be initially known.
Thereafter these two main mechanisms are differentiated. To this end, a specially prepared drug capsule is administered to the patient and the time that the capsule takes to leave the bowel is determined by periodic x-ray imaging thereof. If patient is of the above-specified first group, he/she is referred to the Gastroenterology clinic so as to be treated. If patient is of the second group, next assessment is classical defecography. In classical defecography, starch mixed barium is administered through patient’s anus and patient is placed on a special commode where process of defecation is filmed. This procedure may also be applied using MR.
After completion of all these assessments, another assessment is made, as required, by a device called manometry whereby rectal pressure is measured. Patient’s treatment plan is made in accordance with the data obtained therefrom. We benefit from such advantages provided by laparoscopic surgeries as less pain and a shortened period of recovery also in treatment of reflux disease. Laparoscopic fundoplication surgeries with a view to reconstructing impaired lower esophageal sphincter, in other words the gate between the stomach and esophagus, and preventing stomach content from refluxing into the esophagus are commonly used worldwide. The Surgery is a laparoscopic procedure making use of the latest technical developments. It takes 1-1.5 hours, and patient can be fed by the mouth the day after the surgery and discharged either on the same day or the day after and start working within 7 days. All benefits of laparoscopic surgeries are enjoyed (less pain, shortened period of hospitalization, no postoperative risk). This provides patients with a better quality of life upon elimination of daily intake of medication, regression of inflammatory events in esophagus and elimination of cancer risk associated therewith.
