The entire spectrum of gastrointestinal surgery (operations on the gallbladder, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, intestines and rectum) are routinely done by our group. Many of these operations are emergency or urgent procedures, including those for bowel obstruction due to adhesion or tumor, appendicitis, intestinal bleeding and perforation. Often these operations are performed laparoscopically (minimal access), requiring only very short hospital stays. Cholecystecomy (gallbladder removal) is occasionally done as an emergency, but is almost always done laparoscopically with overnight hospitalization.
More complex procedures may require incisions and longer hospital stays, particularly those involving extensive scarring from prior operations, very large tumors, or inflammatory conditions.
Related general information is available in the Patient Resources section of the American College of Surgeon’s website at www.facs.org