Gastroenterology

Colorectal cancer, also known as bowel, colon or rectal cancer, is the third most common cancer in the U.S. and the second-highest cause of cancer-related deaths, according to The American Cancer Society. Traditionally, the cancer is detected through the presence of polyps or growths on the inner linings of the colon or rectum. Surgery is typically used to remove the polyps and any adjacent lymph nodes, to avoid potential spreading.

Hernias are balloon-esque sacs that form when the internal layers of the abdominal wall — skin, muscles and fat — weaken, then tear, causing a loop of abdominal tissue to flow into the sac. They are estimated to affect five percent of the population and can be extremely painful. Hernias become complex after several surgical attempts to seal the tear.

Fecal incontinence, also known as bowel incontinence, is the inability to control bowel movements, causing rectal leakage. Leakage could arise from passing gas or from a total loss of bowel control. Common causes include muscle or nerve damage, constipation and diarrhea.

GERD is a digestive disorder impacting the muscle between the esophagus and stomach. Consisting of chronic acid reflux, GERD is most commonly treated with medication designed to suppress acid production in the stomach. However, medication does not address GERD's root causes, and more than 40 percent of those affected still experience symptoms.

At our hospital, we specialize in innovative techniques to combat GERD. Our surgeons perform minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, which implants a flexible band of magnets enclosed in titanium beads around the weak esophageal sphincter, in order to stop acid reflux.

The magnetic attraction between the beads keeps the weak esophageal sphincter closed. Swallowing forces the beads to temporarily separate and allows food and liquid to pass into the stomach. This procedure typically takes less than one hour, and allows you to go home within one day.

Inflammatory bowel disease is a broad term describing chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, which includes the mouth, throat, stomach, small and large intestines, rectum and anus.

There are two primary types of inflammatory bowel disease:

• Crohn's disease — This condition is cause by an inflammation of the lining of the large intestine and small intestine.
• Ulcerative colitis — This condition is caused by the formation of ulcers along the lining of the large intestine and rectum.

Regular symptoms of both types of inflammatory bowel disease include abdominal pain, fatigue, weight loss, diarrhea and rectal bleeding.

We treat a number of conditions affecting the liver, pancreas and bile ducts, including:

• Cirrhosis — An inflammatory process resulting in liver failure, cirrhosis typically culminates with scar tissue formation, and occurs following long-term damage to cells in the liver.
• Gallstone/gallbladder disease — This involves crystallization of bile within the gallbladder or bile ducts, which turns into stones blocking the transportation of bile. Cholecystitis is the most common problem resulting from gallbladder stones.
• Pancreatitis — Pancreatitis is defined by inflammation of the pancreas, typically resulting in middle-left upper abdominal pain.