The Department of General Surgery works with the best General Surgeons in Ramanathapuram that focus on the contents of the abdomen such as the stomach, small bowel, oesophagus, liver, colon, pancreas, gall bladder, bile ducts, and thyroid gland, among others.
General surgeons in the department have collectively performed thousands of surgical procedures over the decades. From laparoscopic hernia surgeries to thyroid surgeries to diabetic foot ulcer surgery, many patients have benefited from their treatment. In short, their expertise is unrivalled.
Since 2006, the Department of General Surgery has been certified by the National Board of Examinations to conduct the DNB course in general surgery. We administer treatment on an out-patient basis to nearly 20,000 patients every year and more than a thousand receive treatment on an in-patient basis.
Hernia Surgery
The sheath of muscle and fascia running the length of the torso from the ribs to the groin is called the abdominal wall or sheath. It holds in the intestines and contents of the abdomen. Sometimes weak spots appear on this abdominal wall for a multitude of reasons. This results in the abdominal contents breaking through to the surface, causing a bulge beneath the skin which is very often visible. The word hernia means ‘something coming through’ and thus aptly describes the condition. There are a number of types of hernia but the most common are inguinal (inner groin), femoral (outer groin), incisional (which results from an incision), hiatal (the upper stomach) and umbilical (at the belly button). Hernias are caused by anything which causes excess pressure within the abdominal cavity combined with weakness of muscle in the abdominal sheath.
The traditional method of surgical treatment for hernia is called ‘open hernia repair’ and it may be done using local or general anaesthetic. The surgeon pushes the protruding tissue back into position and the weakened area of the abdominal wall is closed using sutures. The area is reinforced using a synthetic mesh. The opening is then closed using staples or surgical glue.
Here at the Department of General Surgery of Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, we have great experience using the laparoscopic or minimally invasive procedure, commonly called keyhole surgery which is considered to be one of the best hernia treatments. This is done under general anaesthesia. Multiple little incisions are made and then gas is used to inflate the cavity before a laparoscope is passed into it. The surgeon views the region and then uses other instruments (inserted through other incisions) to repair the weakened section using mesh. The minimally invasive approach causes considerably less scarring and has quicker recovery times with less pain for patients.
Thyroid Surgery
The thyroid gland produces hormones which help regulate the metabolism of the body. It also helps in keeping organs functioning properly and helps in conservation of body heat. Sometimes the thyroid may produces too much hormone and this may be due to swelling, cysts, nodules or cancer. In these instances, the best possible course of action is surgery.
The whole thyroid gland or part of it might be removed in the procedure. During the course of the open procedure, an incision is created in the skin and muscle and tissue and move to gain access to the gland. The gland is either partly or completely excised. Recovery is typically quick and people may be discharged within a day or two of the procedure. It is even quicker in the case of a laparoscopic procedure.