digestion

What Are the Three Types of Anastomosis? Surgery

What is intestinal anastomosis? An intestinal anastomosis is the opening between two parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Surgeons must sometimes remove diseased parts and reconnect the healthy parts with an opening for food to pass through. An anastomosis is a medical term used to describe connection or opening between two organs or tissues. When a …

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What Is Laparoscopic Ventral Mesh Rectopexy?

What is rectal prolapse? A laparoscopic rectopexy is a minimally invasive technique to repair a prolapsed rectum. Rectal prolapse is a protrusion of the rectum (end chamber of the large intestine where feces collect before release by the anal sphincter)  is called rectal prolapse. Rectal prolapse is thought to occur due to the loss or weakness of the normal support …

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What Happens When Your Ileum Is Removed? Benefits

What is the ileum? In conditions where the ileum is removed surgically, the duodenum is connected to the colon. This is called anastomosis. The entire small intestine is around 20 feet long and is divided into three parts. The first part is called the duodenum. The stomach opens into the duodenum. The middle part is called the jejunum. The third and final …

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What Is an Open Appendectomy? Major Surgery & Recovery

What is an open appendectomy? An open appendectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the appendix. An appendix is a small, finger-like structure at the junction of the small and large intestine. The function of the appendix is largely unknown and its removal seems to not cause any observable problems. However, its infection can be painful. An …

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What Does a Crohn’s Disease Attack Feel Like? Early Signs

What is Crohn’s disease? The early signs of Crohn's disease are low-grade fever, prolonged diarrhea, abdominal pain, and others Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease featuring chronic inflammation of the inner of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Patients experience periods of symptomatic relapse and remission. The presentation of the disease is variable; some stay symptom-free most of their lives, while …

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What Are the First Signs of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? 3 Early Signs

What are the causes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)? The early signs and symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain and alterations in bowel habits. Abdominal pain may worsen after meals. Both diarrhea or constipation are common.  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common intestinal disorder that is characterized by abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. Older terms for IBS …

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What Is a Partial Gastrectomy?

What is a gastrectomy? A partial gastrectomy is the surgical removal of a portion of the stomach, as opposed to a total gastrectomy in which the entire stomach is removed. A gastrectomy may also be accompanied by a vagotomy (removal of the part of the vagus nerve that stimulates the stomach’s acid production for digestion). A partial gastrectomy is most …

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How Long Does a Cholecystostomy Tube Stay In?

What is a percutaneous cholecystostomy procedure? A percutaneous cholecystostomy is a procedure to place a drainage catheter in the gallbladder through a tiny entry hole made in the stomach wall. The drainage tube will be connected to a collection bag which can be periodically emptied. The doctor usually removes the tube in about two to three weeks, after ensuring there …

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How Is a Transjugular Liver Biopsy Done?

What is a transjugular liver biopsy procedure? In a transjugular liver biopsy, the doctor inserts a catheter through the jugular vein in the neck and threads it down to the liver to collect a tissue sample. This is less invasive than a traditional liver biopsy. A transjugular liver biopsy is an intravenous technique to obtain liver tissue sample for a …

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What Is a Choledochojejunostomy?

What is a choledochojejunostomy? A choledochojejunostomy is a surgical procedure to make a connection (anastomosis) between the common bile duct and the jejunum. This technique is called the Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy. A choledochojejunostomy is a surgical procedure to make a connection (anastomosis) between the common bile duct and the jejunum, which is the middle portion of the small intestine. This technique …

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