Gastric surgery
Gastric surgery is the branch of visceral surgery that deals with operations on the stomach. The diseases most commonly requiring treatment include stomach ulcers and gastric tumours, as well as diaphragmatic hernias and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Gastric diseases can cause a variety of complaints. Symptoms include nausea and vomiting, as well as sudden food intolerances, bad breath or frequent belching. Very severe stomach diseases can lead to acute pain and blood in the vomit. If you experience these symptoms, you must go to hospital immediately.
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Many people in Switzerland suffer from the symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux (reflux of acid from the stomach into the oesophagus). Almost everyone has experienced acid reflux or heartburn at some point.
There is a variety of potential causes, including weakness in the connective tissue or exogenous factors such as chronic nicotine and alcohol consumption. Excess weight can also lead to reflux disease.
As many as one quarter of the population suffers from chronic reflux and is therefore dependent on medication.
Where the closure mechanism between the oesophagus and the stomach does not function adequately, this can be effectively and permanently rectified by surgery. After surgery, any previous drug treatments can usually be discontinued.
Surgical treatment is particularly suitable for people who have not responded sufficiently to drug treatment or who have been diagnosed with major diaphragmatic hernias.
Treatments
Different treatment methods are used for the different diseases that can arise in and around the stomach. When it comes to treatment methods, a distinction is made between open surgery and the minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure, as well as gastroscopy.
Open surgery
Where complicated and comprehensive procedures are required, such as the removal of the stomach due to a tumour attack (stomach cancer), surgery is performed on the open abdomen.
Minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure
In laparoscopic procedures, also known as laparoscopy, surgery is performed using a specific type of endoscope called a ‘laporoscope’. The laparoscope allows the surgeon to see the organs in the abdominal cavity. The procedure involves making small incisions in the abdominal area, through which the surgeon can remove diaphragmatic hernias, stomach ulcers and, in some cases, tumours.
Gastroscopy
Gastroscopy is not only useful for diagnosis, but it can also be used to remove polyps or tumours, to stop bleeding in the stomach or to remove stomach constrictions with the help of a laser. Advanced gastroscopic procedures include polypectomy, chromoendoscopy, bougienage, ligature of varicose veins, cauterisation of angiodysplasia, removal of PEG tubes, removal of foreign bodies, insertion of gastric and jejunal tubes.
FAQs
When is gastric surgery necessary?
If the condition cannot be improved or cured through conservative treatment, gastric surgery is required. Surgery is often required in patients with stomach cancer or stomach ulcers, or if the stomach has to be fixed due to sliding back and forth.
What are the symptoms of a gastric tumour?
There are a number of symptoms that may indicate stomach cancer. As these can also be caused by other illnesses, it is important to consult a doctor immediately. Possible symptoms include persistent nausea, upper abdominal pain and a lack of appetite.
Gastroscopy is now used as a standard test for preventing stomach cancer. It is usually carried out routinely every two to five years from the age of 50.
