Grand Traverse Surgery, PC

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Patient Education

General Surgery Conditions

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the system of organs that takes in food, digests it for energy and nutrients, and expels the remaining waste. The GI tract is about 20 feet long and consists of the upper and lower GI tracts. The upper GI tract consists of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and stomach. The pharynx is located behind the mouth and leads to the esophagus – a hollow muscular tube. The lower GI tract consists of the small and large intestines, and end of the rectum (anus).

A wide variety of conditions, both cancerous and non-cancerous, can affect a person's GI tract. Some of those conditions include:

Any of these conditions can cause chronic pain, as well as other symptoms that negatively affect your daily life.

Obesity

Obesity is a term used to describe body weight that is much greater than what is considered healthy. If you are obese, you have a much higher amount of body fat than is healthy or desirable. Anyone who is more than 100 pounds overweight or who has a BMI (Body Mass Index) greater than 40 kg/m2 is considered morbidly obese.

Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer, sometimes called gastric cancer, is a disease in which cells grow uncontrollably and form a tumor in the stomach. Your stomach is located in the upper abdomen and is the about the size of a large fist. Its primary function is to help food digest before it moves on to the small intestine.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. When the pancreas is inflamed, the enzymes inside it attack and damage the pancreas. In severe cases, bleeding, infection, and permanent tissue damage may occur. The pancreas is a large gland behind the stomach near the duodenum—the first part of the small intestine. The pancreas secretes digestive juices, or enzymes, into the duodenum through a tube called the pancreatic duct. The pancreas also releases the hormones insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream to help the body regulate the glucose it takes from food for energy.

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is a disease in which cancerous cells are found in the tissues of the pancreas. This disease is also called exocrine cancer. The pancreas is a long gland lying behind the stomach that secretes pancreatic juice into the duodenum (first part of small intestine) and important hormones such as insulin into the bloodstream to help the body regulate the glucose it takes from food for energy

Achalasia

Achalasia is a disorder of the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus), which affects the ability of the esophagus to move food toward the stomach. A muscular ring at the point where the esophagus and stomach come together (lower esophageal sphincter) normally relaxes during swallowing. In people with achalasia, this muscle ring does not relax properly. The reason for this is damage to the nerves of the esophagus.

Gallbladder Disease and Stones

Gallbladder disease includes inflammation, infection, stones, or blockage of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a sac located under the liver. It stores and concentrates bile produced in the liver. Bile aids in the digestion of fat, and is released from the gallbladder into the upper small intestine in response to food (especially fats).

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci Surgical System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. There are no guarantees of outcome. All surgeries involve the risk of major complications. Before you decide on surgery, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Understanding the risks of each treatment can help you make the best decision for your individual situation. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual; it may not be applicable to your condition. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits. Only your doctor can determine whether da Vinci Surgery is appropriate for your situation. The clinical information and opinions, including any inaccuracies expressed in this material by patients or doctors about da Vinci Surgery, are not necessarily those of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. and should not be considered as substitute for medical advice provided by your doctor. © 2010 Intuitive Surgical. All rights reserved.

Content provided by Intuitive Surgical. For more information, please visit www.davincisurgery.com

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