Gastric Surgery Specialist

What Are the Diseases That Affect the Gastric System?

Conditions including gastritis, gastroparesis, non-ulcer dyspepsia, peptic ulcers, and stomach cancer can affect a person’s gastric system. Gastritis is where different parts of the stomach and small intestine become inflamed, resulting in pain and digestive disorder. Gastroparesis occurs when the stomach does not empty its contents correctly, but there is no blockage. Non-ulcer dyspepsia occurs when the patient does not have an ulcer but suffers from indigestion and other symptoms typically associated with an ulcer. Peptic ulcers are a break in the surface level of the stomach lining. Dr. Wool and Dr. Hoeltgen perform laparoscopic surgery for cancers including GIST-Carcinoid-and adenocarcinoma, nonhealing ulcers, bleeding ulcers, or ulcer perforation

Should Patients Be Concerns About Benign Gastric Ulcers?

Yes, gastric ulcers should be taken seriously. Ulcers cause significant discomfort and are known indicators of increased risk for gastric cancer. Patients who suffer from any gastrointestinal distress should seek medical attention early. Not only is almost every medical condition more easily treated in its early stages, but early diagnoses and treatment can cut down on the pain and discomfort a person will have to live with while waiting for treatment. Dr. Wool and Dr. Hoeltgen perform a variety of diagnostic and treatment surgical procedures to efficiently diagnose and treat a patient’s gastric disease

How Are Gastric Ulcers Treated?

Most doctors will begin treatment conservatively with medication and diet change. However, for patients with more severe or developed gastric ulcers, other treatments including endoscopies and surgery are available to treat the ulcer. During an endoscopy, a thin and flexible tube with a camera mounted on the end is passed through a mildly sedated patient’s mouth and esophagus to view the upper gastrointestinal tract. Other surgical tools can be attached to an endoscope, allowing a doctor to address conditions like ulcers while the camera provides live-feed video to guide his work. Surgery is rarely needed for ulcers. In extreme circumstances, surgery can address an ulcer that bleeds uncontrollably or for patients who are unable to take a medication used to control stomach acid.