Spine Surgery

About Spine Surgery

With the advancement in technology the spinal surgery has transformed to one that is minimally invasive. There are laser spine surgeries for some minor problems. In a minimally invasive surgery the incisions that are made for the surgery is very small and hence the scars out of the surgery is also very minimal.

Depending on the different areas of the spinal cord like the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar the spinal surgeries are also divided into these categories. The cervical spinal surgery is that of the area corresponding to the neck. The thoracic spinal surgery corresponds to that of the rib area. The lumbar spinal surgery is that of the lower back area. Spinal deformity, herniated discs, fractures in the spine, and pain in the spinal cord are some of the reasons for which a spinal surgery is performed.

Sometime between two vertebrae the disc may become thin and this will cause the two vertebra to move against each other causing severe pain. Under these circumstances a spinal fusion surgery is performed to rectify these problems. A spinal fusion surgery involves bone graft that is made to surround the two vertebra and the bone graft is fused by the body in due course of time as it grows.

Thus the two vertebra are made to one with the help of bone grafting. In this method these problems are overcome. It takes time for the patient to recover from this kind of surgery. It also takes time to discover whether the patient is recovering properly in case of spinal fusion surgery.

Bladder Surgery

About Gall Bladder Surgery

Gall bladder surgery is performed to get relief from the pain due to the gall stones that are formed in the gall bladder. Although it is possible to remove the stones alone, it is found that the gall bladder is not an essential organ and hence it is usually removed. If left, there is chance for the gall stones to form again. Hence it is removed. The purpose of the gall bladder is to release bile to the intestine to enable smooth functioning of the intestine in digesting.

Gall bladder surgery is of two kinds. One is the traditional surgery and the other is the laproscopic surgery. The traditional surgery requires a big incision in the abdomen which is usually 9 to 18 cm long. There is lot of pain in this type of surgery. More bleeding is also possible. In the laproscopic surgery four small incisions are made to perform the surgery. The surgical instruments are inserted through these small incisions and the task that is done during the operation is seen in a computer monitor.

Images of the internal organs are transmitted to the monitor using the minute camera that is attached to the laproscope that is inserted in the abdomen. The pain in this laproscopic surgery is minimal. Hence more and more people around the world go for laproscopic surgery. The scars formed as a result of surgery is also minimal in the case of laproscopic surgery. As with any surgery the patient is given anesthesia before surgery. One of the drawbacks of the laproscopic surgery is the possible damage to the duct or the intestines due to the insertion of the surgical instruments in the abdomen.

After surgery redness and swelling can be found in the incision sites. Some people have nausea and vomiting after surgery. It will take some time for them to adapt to the foods that are taken. Usually high fat foods are avoided after the surgery to reduce the load to the digestive system. Constipation and in some cases diarrhea are common after surgery. In case of constipation high fiber contents are recommended and drugs like cholestyramine are used to treat diarrhea. It is always better to consult your doctor and have regular follow ups to avoid any complication as a result of the gall bladder surgery.

Another New Surgery Invention

AN invention which will save children from years of traumatic surgery is set to revolutionise the treatment of a rare spinal disorder.

The device is the brainchild of Edinburgh Royal Infirmary's consultant orthopaedic spine surgeon John Burke, who has just won a major innovation award for his design.

Currently, young children who suffer from scoliosis - a disorder which, if left unchecked, can result in severe curvature of the spine - are fitted with a telescopic titanium rod which supports their spine.

Every six months, as the infant grows, the child has to undergo further surgery to lengthen the implant and keep the deformity at bay.

The scoliosis in children who require this type of surgery is usually discovered at around three years old and regular surgery continues for approximately seven years.

But because Dr Burke's deformity correction implant is fitted between each of the vertebrae in the back, and grows with the child, regular surgery is unnecessary.

The system is expected to be so efficient that major corrective surgery of the spine later in life is less likely to be needed.

Expected to be made of cobalt chrome, Dr Burke believes his implant could also help children who suffer from knock-knees and club foot syndrome.

Dr Burke, who also works at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, said: "Scoliosis is quite a rare thing and much more common in Europe than it is in America. It's a terribly difficult problem to deal with and what I've invented is a device that you put in and it grows with them.

"Essentially, it's still a concept and is really at the beginning of its development.

"Now we need to get it computer-modelled and get a prototype which can be tested.

"It's a new concept so we need to do extensive tests before we can use it on a child."

Scoliosis can develop at any time during childhood and adolescence but only two in every 10,000 infants are diagnosed.

Severe deformity, now uncommon due to modern treatment, can lead to damaged lung function, or disability in middle age.

Ailee Harrison of the Scoliosis Association said: "It's very rare in infants and very important that it's diagnosed early.

"For those who have to have surgery, this invention will be fantastic because it should cut the number of operations, which is so awful for young children.

"Also, it's very important that families and doctors and midwives who suspect a young baby might have a problem refer them to their GP as soon as possible."

Dr Burke's design joined 1200 entries and he was handed the prize for Best Innovation to Improve Child Health by child welfare campaigner Esther Rantzen at a prestigious award ceremony in London last week.

Award founder Andy Goldberg, of the Medical Futures organisation, said: "This year's entries were truly the best of British healthcare.

"Dr Burke's idea had to beat a very strong field to win and it won because the judges believed that it will make a huge difference to scoliosis sufferers in this country. It is an elegant solution to a profound problem."

Surgery for Breast

Do you know that American women have increased their bust size from a 34 B to a 36 C cup? Since1900s the beautiful bust-line has definitely expanded. With modern surgical techniques, breasts are nowadays can be designated as ultimate fashion accessory.

Now there is a GREAT question. Is bigger really better? With surgery come to risk your bust size, you should aware of pros and cons of breast surgery and also preparation and recovery after your surgery.

In general the breast surgery is recommended for various reasons such as enlarged breast, cystic breast infections, breast pain, loss of sensation in breasts, sleeping problem caused from large breasts, and pigmented bra-strap groove and poor posture caused by large breasts. Breast reconstructive surgery is a surgical procedure to alter or revise the size or shape of the breasts.

In early 1960’s, silicone breast implants have been tried extensively in the women with so many disadvantages. Then only, the attempts of new silicone implant offered fruitful results. Modern surgical techniques prove to give good results in the breast surgeries and most of the women preferred these surgical techniques with minimum limitations.

In the last decade, 15,000 breast cancer patients have chosen breast implants, 135,000 women had cosmetic implant surgery and another 78,000 women choose to have breast reduction surgery. There are different kinds of breast reconstructive surgery and cosmetic procedures such as breast lift, breast reduction and breast augmentation is available worldwide.

Plastic Surgery Information

Plastic surgery is a pretty common operative procedure that is undertaken by many people these days. The word plastic in plastic surgery does not represent the modern plastic which has become an essential element of various facets of our life, but it is derived from a Greek word “Plastikos” which is “to shape, mold or give form”. The early cases of plastic surgery were mainly performed as a surgical procedure to restore the shape and function of the parts that have been affected due to accidents or injury.

In the past several years, plastic surgery has gone through a lot of improvements and advances and has become a very common procedure for aesthetic surgery where celebrities and other influential people want to change themselves to look better, and also for reconstructive surgery where it is used to mainly restore the function of the part that is affected, or to entirely rebuild the part for the patient. Cosmetic surgeries include fat suction, face lifts, reshaping of noses, ears, removing wrinkles or laugh lines etc while reconstructive surgeries include repair of fixing of severe injuries or cuts, use of skin grafts to repair disfigurement in case of accidents or burns, repair of lip clefts etc.

In recent times, advancement in terms of technology, surgical instruments, surgical procedures and the fund of research and information available has made the plastic surgery a safe and common procedure. The surgery is done under local or general anesthesia as required and has been tested and practiced well. Surgeons have to go through rating and certifications that include years of surgery and various tests and examinations. Advancement like virtual reality can be used well to show the patients the various effects, options and also can display the effects of aging etc.

Bypass Heart Surgery Information

A bypass heart surgery is done to bypass any clogs in the artery and to enable smooth flow of blood to and from the heart. Removing the blocks in the artery is essential for the blood to flow to the other parts of the body without any interruption.

Due fat and cholesterol accumulated in the arteries there may be block in the artery. The bypass heart surgery bypasses these blocks in the artery through new grafts that are placed before and after the blocked area of the artery. A bypass heart surgery is usually done by stopping the beat of the heart and using a heart lung machine which does the job of the heart. The heart lung machine plays an important role in a bypass heart surgery.

There are also new methods developed to perform a bypass heart surgery without stopping the heart also. Such methods are called Off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery. The main advantages of these OPCAB methods are the reduction in the transfusion of blood necessary for the heart surgery. Moreover these methods help reduce the renal and the neurological complications in our body after a bypass heart surgery.

Monitoring the patients is an important task after a bypass heart surgery. Constipation, muscle pain and swelling in the area where the vein was removed for bypass heart surgery are found to be common for the patients who have undergone bypass heart surgery.

I highly recommend you visit patient's guide to heart surgery for more information

Surgery for Weight Loss

Weight loss surgery is something that is opted for by obese people who have their body mass index over 40. A weight loss surgery, as with other surgery has its own complications and risks involved. You can approach a weight loss center near your location for more information on a weight loss surgery.

This type of surgery surgery should be the last option. Try to reduce your weight by enrolling for some weight loss programs. Programs for weight loss are available in most of the health care centers. If you are marginally overweight then a weight loss surgery is not for you. With a surgery for weight loss you can reduce weights over 100 pounds within a short period.

There are different types of weight loss surgeries. A lap band surgery is one in which an inflated ring is placed in the upper part of the stomach to form a pouch. This pouch reduces the flow of food to the intestine. By the reducing the intake of food this way, the weight is reduced drastically. The ring on the top of the stomach can be inflated and defalted at your will even if you are in your office. Specialized weight loss centers are there to assist people who have undergone lap band surgery to reduce their weight.

Another type of surgery that is used to reduce your weight is a gastric bypass surgery. In this surgery a pouch is formed in the stomach and this pouch is attached to the lower part of the intestine. By connecting to the lower part of the intestine, the amount of food that is absorbed by the body is reduced. This surgery is mostly irreversible. That is why you are recommended to try other means of reducing your weight before going for a surgery.

The cost of a weight loss surgery is high and cannot be afforded out of your pocket. It is better to have insurance coverage for the weight loss surgeries. Ensure that your healthcare plan covers the weight loss surgery. Now a days most of the insurance plans cover these surgeries also. The weight loss centers across the country provide you with more services other than the surgery. Hence it is better to approach these centers for a weight loss surgery.