About 10 to 20 per cent of the population has gallstones and it is one of the most common reasons of hospitalisation due to gastroenterological problems,” Dr Rizwan Khan, Consultant General Surgeon, Aga Khan University ( AKU) informed at a ‘Signs, Symptoms and Care' programme at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi. He said that about two thirds of patients with gallstones are asymptomatic, commonly known as silent stones.
The current gold standard for management of patients with symptomatic gallstones is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Advantages of this key-hole procedure include small incisions, less pain, early discharge from the hospital, early return to oral diet and activity and better cosmetic results. Most people go home the morning after laparoscopic surgery and recover in less than a week. Removing the gallbladder for gallstones has no long-term adverse effects on health or dietary habits.
If gallstones migrate to the common bile duct, they may lead to serious complications and need urgent attention. Gallstones in this location can usually be managed by endoscopic techniques; and if unsuccessful, by open surgery.
Dr Tabish Chawla, Consultant General Surgeon, AKU explained the common causes of chronic abdominal pain. Helicobacter gastritis is a primary infection of the stomach and is the most frequent cause of chronic gastritis. Peptic ulcer disease is a common disorder that affects millions. The most important contributing factors are H pylori, NSAIDs, acid, and pepsin. Additional aggressive factors include smoking, ethanol, bile acids, aspirin, steroids and stress. Chronic Pelvic Pain is poorly understood and, consequently, poorly managed. This condition is best managed using a multidisciplinary approach. A significant number of these patients may have various associated problems, including bladder or bowel dysfunction, sexual dysfunction and other systemic or constitutional symptoms. Other associated problems, such as depression, anxiety and drug addiction, may also coexist. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that appears to be associated with a low-fiber diet, constipation and obesity.
Dr K M Inam Pal, Consultant General Surgeon and Head Section of General Surgery, AKU said that a hernia is an abnormal protrusion of an organ through the wall of its retaining cavity. Hernias may arise in a number of different areas of the body but are most often seen to affect the front of the abdomen. It usually manifests as a swelling that grows with time and there may be associated pain or discomfort. Hernia becomes a surgical emergency in case of entrapment of the herniating organ and can cause life threatening complications. Therefore, treatment of hernia should be considered in a non-emergency situation, when chances of success are maximal and risk very low.
As part of its outreach programme and societal commitment to creating awareness of early diagnosis and timely treatment, AKUH has organised over 250 ‘Signs, Symptoms and Care' programmes in Karachi, Hyderabad, Quetta, Nawabshah and UAE, benefiting more than 50,000 people. AKUH's Patient Welfare Programme offers financial assistance to those patients who are unable to afford the medical cost of treatment. Since the inception of this welfare programme in 1986, over PKR 1.6 billion has been disbursed to more than 300,000 needy patients.
