Gallstone Disease
Why do gallbladder stones form?
What are the common symptoms of gallbladder stones?
- Discomfort or pain in the upper abdomen (especially right side)
- Bloating after meals
- Nausea or vomiting
- Jaundice (if a stone blocks the common bile duct)
What is the best test to diagnose gallstones?
An ultrasound of the whole abdomen is the investigation of choice.
How are gallbladder stones treated?
- If asymptomatic: Usually just observation
- If symptomatic: Surgery (laparoscopic/keyhole surgery) is recommended
- For high-risk patients (diabetic or immunocompromised): Surgery is usually advised even without symptoms
What happens if gallstones are left untreated?
Untreated gallstones may lead to serious complications such as:
- Recurrent infections (chronic or acute cholecystitis)
- Gangrene or perforation of the gallbladder
- Jaundice or pancreatitis
- Rarely, gallbladder cancer
- Special conditions like Mirizzi syndrome or gallbladder-colon fistula
When does jaundice occur in gallstone disease?
Jaundice happens when a stone slips into the common bile duct (CBD), blocking the flow of bile into the intestine. In such cases, the CBD stone must first be removed, followed by laparoscopic gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy).
Phimosis
What is Phimosis?
Why does Phimosis occur?
It may be present from birth or develop later due to:
- Repeated infections
- Poor hygiene
- Diabetes
- Weak immunity (immunocompromised patients)
What are the treatment options?
What are the advantages of stapler circumcision?
- Faster recovery
- Neater and smoother cut line
Does circumcision affect sexual function?
No, circumcision does not negatively affect sexual performance. In fact, it often improves comfort and makes intercourse easier by allowing painless foreskin retraction.
Fissure-in-Ano
What is a fissure-in-ano?
What causes a fissure?
Are any tests needed for diagnosis?
What are the treatment options?
- Medical treatment: Medicines to reduce spasm and pain, and stool softeners.
- Surgical treatment: Removal of the fissure and release of muscle spasm (lateral sphincterotomy).
Is LASER treatment effective for fissures?
Yes, LASER treatment is a safe and effective option.
What are the advantages of LASER treatment?
- Relatively painless procedure
- Faster healing
- Early recovery and return to routine activities
Can fissures recur after surgery?
Are fissures related to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)?
Can fissures and piles occur together?
Piles (Hemorrhoids)
What are piles/hemorrhoids?
What are the grades of hemorrhoids?
Do all grades require treatment?
- Grade I & II: Often managed with medicines and lifestyle changes.
- Grade III (with bleeding) & Grade IV: Usually require surgical treatment.
What are the treatment options?
- Conventional (open) surgery
- Stapler surgery
- LASER surgery
Is every treatment suitable for all grades?
Can piles come back after treatment?
Is LASER an effective treatment for piles?
Can piles occur along with other anal diseases?
Fistula-in-Ano
What is a fistula-in-ano?
Why does a fistula develop?
Can a fistula heal on its own?
What is the treatment for a fistula-in-ano?
Is LASER treatment effective for fistula?
Are there chances of recurrence?
Hernia
What is a hernia?
What are the symptoms of a hernia?
At what age can hernia occur?
What is the treatment for hernia?
What is done during hernia surgery?
Yes, but recurrence is rare (1–2%) with proper repair. Large or previously recurrent hernias carry a higher risk.
Can hernia repair be done laparoscopically (keyhole surgery)?
Is laparoscopic surgery safe?
Obesity
What is obesity?
Obesity means having excess body weight. It is measured using the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is calculated as weight (kg) divided by height (m²). A BMI of 30 or more is classified as obesity.
Is obesity a disease?
Yes. Obesity is considered a disease and is often called the “mother of other diseases,” as it increases the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, knee and back problems, sleep apnea, and many other health issues.
What can be done to manage obesity?
First line: Diet control, lifestyle changes, and regular exercise. If obesity is due to another medical condition, that should be treated. If these measures fail, metabolic (bariatric) surgery may be recommended.