General Surgery

Gastrointestinal Disorders & Surgeries

Hernia, gallbladder, colorectal, and thyroid/parathyroid diseases are the most common cases seen by general surgeons the world over. Some surgeries like gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy) and hernia surgery have come to be considered as routine. But even these ‘routine’ surgeries are complicated medical procedures that must be performed by surgeons with high training, knowledge, and a proven record of patients with positive outcomes.

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General surgery is a prescribed treatment method in different cases where drugs have failed to work or cannot work. Dr. Joshua S. Tierney is a reputable surgeon whose clinic performs hundreds of routine general surgery procedures including:

Hernia surgery

Hernias are tears or holes in the abdominal or groin wall through which inner tissues protrude. A hernia causes pain and can lead to more complicated strangulation of the intestines. Hernia surgery is done to push back the protruding tissue and repair the hole. The weak point is reinforced with mesh.

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Hernia surgery can vary in complexity depending on the size and position of the hernia. Hernia surgery is the only long term solution to treating a hernia completely. This is because a hernia will only grow larger if it is left untreated. Even small hernias require prompt surgical attention. Dr. Tierney’s surgery clinic offers hernia surgery done using minimally invasive robotic surgery. This is a newer alternative to open surgery. The surgeon uses a robotic arm with a camera to perform the surgery. This method comes with several advantages for the patient, including less tissue damage, which translates into faster healing time.

Gallbladder surgery

A cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder) is a type of surgical procedure used to treat gallbladder diseases, including cancer. The surgical approach is an alternative to conservative treatment options like dietary changes that do not yield the desired results. General surgery for gallbladder removal may be necessary when there is pain that arises from the presence of gallstones, which disrupts the flow of bile.

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A doctor may recommend it if the patient requires gallbladder cancer curative surgery, gallstones in the bladder or bile duct, inflammation, large polyps, and pancreatitis. This standard procedure is low risk, and in many cases, patients can go back home on the same day after surgery. Gallbladder surgery uses laparoscopes attached to a video camera, inserted in an incision inside the abdomen. Surgical instruments are passed through these incisions to perform the surgery. Since there is a risk of gallbladder cancer spreading to the incision, tissue around the incision sites may also be removed.Other types of surgery include biliary bypass, endoscopic stent, and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage to treat patients with gallbladder cancer. The procedure is usually performed to address problems that are caused by gallstones and gallbladder cancer. In cases where the cancer cells cannot be removed, palliative surgery is used. Many people do not experience any digestive problems after gallbladder cancer surgical treatment. The gallbladder is not an essential aspect of digestion. There may be loose stool occasionally after the procedure, but this usually goes away after some time. Patients are encouraged to talk to their doctors about any new symptoms or unusual bowel movements after the procedure.

Thyroid/parathyroid surgery

The thyroid and parathyroid glands are located in the neck near the sternal notch. These glands can develop diseases such as Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism), goiter, recurrent thyroid cysts, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. The parathyroid gland can malfunction and start secreting too much parathyroid hormone in a condition known as hyperparathyroidism.

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Thyroid surgery, also known as thyroidectomy, removes all or part of the thyroid/parathyroid glands. This procedure is often the treatment prescribed for thyroid diseases. The complexity of the surgery depends on the severity of the disease process. The removal of the parathyroid gland is called a parathyroidectomy. In this procedure, the surgeon removes one or all four of the parathyroid glands. There is no other cure for hyperparathyroidism, hence parathyroidectomy is the prescribed treatment in all cases. Thyroidectomy/parathyroidectomy surgical procedures are both available at Dr. Tierney's surgical clinic.

Colon and Rectal Surgery

The colon and rectum function can be impaired by several diseases. Colorectal surgery is prescribed for different types of diseases affecting the lower colon (sigmoid) and rectum including colon polyps, colitis, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancer. Colorectal surgery removes the affected part or all of the colon and/or rectum.

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Diverticulitis is the most common ailment of the sigmoid colon. Other ailments include inflammatory bowel disease and hemorrhoids. The colon and rectum can also be afflicted by different types of colon and rectal cancers. The general term used for these cancers is colorectal cancer. These types of cancers are treated by removing part or all of the diseased colon or rectum. These surgical operations include Colectomy, Colostomy, Hemorrhoidectomy, Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis (J-Pouch), and Rectopexy.