The digestive system plays a vital role in supporting overall body health. Through digestion, the body obtains the nutrients it needs to produce energy, repair cells, and maintain immunity.
However, not all digestive disorders can be treated with medication or dietary changes alone. In certain circumstances, surgery is the best option for addressing gastrointestinal issues. This is where digestive surgery, a branch of surgery that focuses on treating digestive system disorders, plays a crucial role.
What Is Digestive Surgery?
Digestive surgery is a branch of surgery that specifically treats diseases and disorders of the digestive system, from the esophagus to the anus, as well as other organs such as the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and spleen. The primary goal of digestive surgery is to treat disorders that cannot be managed conservatively and to prevent more serious complications.
Digestive Organs Treated by Digestive Surgery
Digestive surgery includes treatment of various organs of the digestive tract, including:
- Esophagus
- Stomach
- Small intestine, large intestine and appendix
- Liver, gallbladder and its ducts (CBD)
- Pancreas
- Spleen
- Rectum and anus
Differences between Digestive Surgery and General Surgery
Although both are included in the field of surgery, digestive surgery is a subspecialty branch that has a special focus on the digestive system, so that its treatment is more specific and in-depth.
The main differences include:
- Treatment focus: Digestive surgery treats diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, while general surgery covers a wide range of surgical conditions.
- Doctor's competence: Digestive surgeons have in-depth expertise in treating digestive disorders, from mild to complex cases.
- Type of procedure: Digestive surgery includes minimally invasive procedures and comprehensive management of digestive tract cancer.
With more focused expertise, digestive surgery plays an important role in providing optimal treatment for digestive system disorders.
Medical Conditions Treated by Digestive Surgery
Here are some medical conditions that require digestive surgery:
- Hernia
A hernia occurs when an internal organ protrudes through a gap in the muscle wall. This condition usually requires surgery to prevent complications such as organ entrapment.
- Appendix
Appendicitis is an emergency condition that requires immediate surgery to prevent the appendix from rupturing and causing more serious infections.
- Gallstones and their ducts (CBD)
Gallstones can cause severe pain, nausea, and even infection. If symptoms recur or complications occur, minimally invasive surgery ( laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder) may be the best solution. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP ) may also be performed if the stones have lodged in the central nervous system (CBD).
- Stomach and Intestinal Disorders
Some conditions, such as intestinal obstruction, perforation, malignant tumors, or gastrointestinal bleeding, require surgical treatment, especially if they do not improve with medical therapy. Surgery can be performed openly or minimally invasively ( laparoscopically ).
- Digestive Tract Tumors or Cancer
Digestive surgery plays an important role in the treatment of benign tumors and cancer in the stomach, intestines, and other digestive organs, both as primary therapy and as part of comprehensive treatment that can be performed openly or minimally invasively ( laparoscopically ).
Types of Procedures in Digestive Surgery
Digestive surgery procedures are tailored to the patient's medical condition and needs, including:
- Open Surgery
It is performed with a larger incision and is used in complex cases or certain emergency conditions.
- Laparoscopic Surgery
This is a minimally invasive technique using small incisions and camera guidance. This method generally has the advantages of less post-operative pain and a faster recovery. Essentially, laparoscopy uses only one incision ( single incision or SILS), resulting in minimal pain and a shorter hospital stay.
- Emergency and Planned Actions
Digestive surgery can be performed on a planned (elective) or emergency basis, depending on the severity and risk of complications experienced by the patient.
- Laparoscopy sleeve gastrectomy (BARIATRIC Procedure)
Bariatric surgery is a surgical procedure that aims to help treat obesity by modifying the digestive system through gastric bypass surgery. This procedure can significantly reduce body weight and contribute to the improvement of obesity-related medical conditions.
- ERCP
ERCP ( Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography ) is a medical procedure that combines endoscopy and X-rays to diagnose and treat problems with the bile duct (CBD) and pancreas. This procedure is useful for removing stones in the CBD or correcting narrowing of the duct. This procedure involves inserting an endoscope (a thin, camera-enabled tube) through the mouth and stomach into the pancreatic duct and CBD, then injecting a contrast dye for detailed visualization.
- Perianal Hemorrhoid, Fissure and Fistula Laser (FILACS)
Laser is a modern medical technique for treating hemorrhoids , perianal fissures and fistulas using minimally invasive laser energy, aimed at shrinking or destroying enlarged hemorrhoid tissue and fistula tracts by stopping blood flow to the blood vessels and destroying the walls of the fistula, so that recovery is faster, pain is very minimal, and bleeding is less than conventional surgery.
When Do Patients Need Digestive Surgery?
Patients are advised to consult a doctor if they experience the following conditions:
- Symptoms of digestive disorders do not improve despite undergoing medical treatment.
- Severe, persistent, or recurring abdominal pain without an obvious cause
- There is a blockage, bleeding, or infection in the digestive tract
- A hernia, appendicitis, or gallstones are found that require surgery
- The presence of tumors or cancer in the digestive organs
- Emergency conditions such as intestinal perforation or severe inflammation
- The results of the doctor's examination showed the need for surgery.
Digestive surgery plays a crucial role in treating various digestive system disorders, especially those that cannot be managed with conventional treatments. Accurate diagnosis and early intervention can improve treatment success and quality of life.
If you are experiencing digestive complaints that do not improve, consulting a doctor is the best first step to determine the right treatment and prevent further complications.
Article written by Dr. Rio Andreas, Sp.B., SubSp.BD(K)., M.Biomed., FINACS (Surgeon Specialist - Digestive Surgery Subspecialist, EMC Sentul Hospital).