Overview
(Abdominal Surgery In India)
Abdominal surgery is a broad term used for various surgical procedures around the abdominal region. These can be used to treat or diagnose medical conditions present in that area. The surgery can be performed on multiple sites like the small intestines, spleen, stomach, appendix, and rectum (or colon). The surgery made be needed for different reasons like infection, bowel disease, or tumours. Abdominal surgery can also be done to treat different types of hernias like umbilical or inguinal.
Abdominal surgeries can be broadly classified as laparotomies and laparoscopic surgeries. Laparotomies surgeries are considered major operations that require large incisions to operate. The laparoscopic surgeries are done with small incisions and have less postoperative pain.
Best Candidates for Abdominal Surgery
One can be a good candidate for abdominal surgery for the following conditions:
- Appendicitis
- Umbilical Hernia
- Miscarriage
- Unexplained pain in the abdomen
- Abdominal bleeding
- Sudden change in bowel movements
- Constipation
Who Should Not Consider Abdominal surgery?
The following reasons may not make a good candidate for abdominal surgery:
- Don’t want scars
- Weak immune system
- Heart condition
- History of medical conditions
- Higher BMI
- Smoking
- Bleeding disorder, anaemia or any other chronic illness
- Unable to tolerate anaesthesia
Abdominal Surgery Preparation
Your doctor talks in detail about how the surgical procedure will be performed its potential risks and benefits. Your doctor will ask to keep away from some habits for a while to have a successful procedure. So, for example, the doctor may ask to quit smoking for at least six weeks before the procedure. This is primarily because smoking delays the healing process and can increase the risk of complications. Your doctor will also ask about allergies or a family history of bleeding disorders. The doctor may also prescribe specific tests like X-ray, CT scan, MRI, or abdominal ultrasound to confirm the medical condition. Apart from this, other preparations for abdominal surgery may require the following:
- Medical evaluation
- Physical examination
- Avoid taking anti-inflammatory drugs
- Stop taking blood-thinning medications for two weeks before the surgery
- Not to eat or drink after midnight before the surgery
- Pre-arranging a ride home after the surgery
How Abdominal Surgery is Performed?
Abdominal surgery can be done as an outpatient procedure, meaning that one can go home the same day of the surgery. However, in some instances, there may be a need to stay at the hospital so that the medical team can closely monitor vitals for 24 hours. The surgery begins by giving local anaesthesia, intravenous sedation or general anaesthesia. Depending on the conditions and symptoms, your doctor may perform the following surgical procedures:
- Laparotomy: In this procedure, the surgeon makes a large incision into the abdominal cavity to determine the source of bleeding or examine the abdominal organs. Once the problem is identified, the surgeon repair or removes the damaged organs, tissues, and more.
- Appendectomy: This surgery is performed to remove the appendix when the infection has made it swollen and inflamed. This is done when the patient shows symptoms of a severe condition known as appendicitis.
- Cholecystectomy: This is a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder. There are two types of surgeries performed in cholecystectomy – open and laparoscopic. The surgeon makes a 6-inch incision in your abdomen below the ribs to remove the gallbladder in open surgery. In laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon makes small incisions in the abdomen and uses a tube and surgical tools to remove the gallbladder.
- Anorectal surgery: The surgical procedure removes a portion of the anus, rectum or parts of the sigmoid colon. The surgery is done to treat rectal issues like haemorrhoids.
- Hernia surgery: In this procedure, the surgeon makes an incision at the base of the belly button and pushes the bugling tissues back into the abdomen. The surgeon then stitches the weak area and adds a mesh where the hernia occurred to strengthen it. The procedure is done under general anaesthesia.
- Bowel resection surgery: Also known as colectomy, the surgical procedure is used to remove part of the large intestine when the colon tissues are inflamed due to conditions like Crohn’s disease and more. The surgery is done by making incisions in the abdomen and then carefully separating and removing affected colon tissues. The surgeon then connects the healthy tissues with sutures or staples.
Possible Complications After Abdominal Surgery
Like any other major surgery, there are some risks associated with abdominal surgery, including bleeding, infection, and reaction to anaesthesia. Other complications may include:
- Blood clots
- Bleeding from the incision site
- Infection
- Paralytic ileus
- Numbers
- Swelling around the incision
- Scars
- Bloating
- Nausea
- Damage to an organ or blood vessel
Care After Abdominal Surgery
Once the abdominal surgery is over, patients may need to stay in the hospital for one or two days. The doctor will ask to come back on the fifth or seventh day for the dressing change and to monitor the progress. Therefore, it is advisable to carry on daily activities only seven to 10 days after the surgery. Apart from this, other post-operative care includes:
- Avoid indulging in strenuous physical activities for four to six weeks
- Don’ drive for a few weeks
- Keep the incision area clean and covered with a dressing
- Take vitamin A and vitamin C supplements
- Drink green tea to boost immunity and antioxidant levels
- Follow a strict diet and exercise regime, so you don’t gain weight
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
- Follow up with the doctor regularly
