Gastrointestinal Surgery
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Desert West Surgery
General & Minimally Invasive Surgeons & Surgical Oncologists located in Las Vegas, NV
Gastrointestinal surgery includes diverse procedures to treat a broad range of conditions, from gastroesophageal reflux disease to gallstones and colon cancer. The experienced doctors at Desert West Surgery work personally with each patient who needs gastrointestinal surgery, before and after their procedure, to ensure their optimal recovery. If you have questions about your surgical options, call one of the three offices in Las Vegas, Nevada, or schedule an appointment using the online booking feature.
Gastrointestinal Surgery Q & A
What health conditions may be treated with gastrointestinal surgery?
Your digestive tract begins at your mouth and continues through your esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), and rectum. The entire gastrointestinal (GI) system also includes your liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
In other words, there are many possible GI health conditions that could require surgery, so this list includes a few of the most common:
- Hernias
- Gallstones
- Diverticulitis
- Gastric ulcers
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Cancer affecting any part of the GI system
- Bleeding of the upper and lower GI tract
- Inflammatory conditions and infections, such as appendicitis and pancreatitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis)
Although cancer can affect any part of your GI system, colorectal cancer is the most common GI cancer and the fourth most common type of all cancers diagnosed in women and men.
What types of gastrointestinal surgeries are performed?
The doctors at Desert West Surgery have years of experience performing the full scope of GI surgeries. These are only a few examples:
Esophagectomy
An esophagectomy is a procedure that treats esophageal cancer and advanced cases of Barrett’s esophagus. During the procedure, your surgeon removes part of the esophagus and the top part of the stomach, then pulls part of the stomach up and connects it to the remaining healthy esophagus, creating a new esophagus.
Liver resection
A liver resection involves removal of all or part of the liver to eliminate benign or cancerous tumors.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy
During a pancreaticoduodenectomy, also known as a Whipple procedure, your surgeon removes cancerous parts of the pancreas, duodenum, bile duct, and portions of the stomach, if needed.
Colorectal surgery
Colorectal surgery is performed to treat conditions such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, fecal incontinence, rectal prolapse, Crohn’s disease, and colon cancer.
Will my gastrointestinal surgery be minimally invasive?
Whenever possible, the doctors at Desert West Surgery perform minimally invasive surgery. This type of procedure uses specialized instruments that are narrow enough to fit through tiny incisions.
Small incisions cause significantly less trauma than the one, long incision used during open surgery. As a result, minimally invasive surgery spares muscles, causes less postoperative pain, and allows you to recover more quickly compared to open surgery. Minimally invasive surgery also leaves scars that are barely noticeable.
Some gastrointestinal surgeries are performed using minimally invasive robotic surgery, which gives your surgeon maximum range of motion and precision.
When you need gastrointestinal surgery, call one of the Desert West Surgery offices or book an appointment online.