Upper GI Conditions

Gastritis occurs when the lining of the stomach becomes inflamed. It may present with upper abdominal pain, indigestion and nausea. 

Oesophagitis is the painful inflammation of the oesophagus or gullet. 

Heartburn is caused by the painful leaking of stomach acid into the oesophagus. The lower oesophageal sphincter is an area at the base of the gullet which acts as a valve. This valve relaxes to allow food down when you eat, then tightens and closes to prevent stomach acids escaping into the oesophagus. If it is unable to close properly, food and acid may rise up into the oesophagus causing heartburn. 

Gastro-Oesophageal Reflux Disease (GORD) is the persistent condition of acid reflux or the regurgitation of food into the oesophagus. It is a very common condition with nearly half of the population experiencing reflux at some stage in their lives. The common symptoms of GORD are heartburn, acid or water brash, regurgitation, chest or upper abdominal pain, cough and hoarseness. 

Hiatus hernias occur when a part or the whole of the stomach pushes up into the chest cavity through an opening in the diaphragm, the sheet of muscle which separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. Small hiatus hernias are very common and may not cause symptoms. Large hiatus hernias or those associated with GORD may end up requiring surgical intervention. 

Gastric (stomach) ulcers and duodenal ulcers, collectively known as peptic ulcers, are sores that develop in the stomach and the duodenum (the first part of the small bowel) because of damage to their lining. Peptic ulcers will cause a burning pain in the abdomen, sometimes in the middle of the night or brought about by hunger. They are commonly caused by a bacteria called Helicobacter Pylori or from excess consumption of anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen. 

Less common but serious complications of an ulcer are bleeding, perforation (bursting), and gastric obstruction (blockage). These can be life-threatening and would require emergency attention.

I offer the following surgical treatments for Upper GI conditions:

• Diagnostic oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) - camera test to examine the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum
• Emergency laparoscopic or open repair of perforated peptic ulcer. 

Diagnostic oesophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (OGD) is the use of a small camera to investigate symptoms of the upper GI tract. 

A long flexible instrument called a gastroscope is passed through the mouth and into the stomach and duodenum (the first part of the small bowel).
It allows for close examination of the upper GI tract and for tissue samples to be removed painlessly for further testing.

Although an OGD is not a painful procedure, you may be offered sedation before to make you feel more comfortable. An OGD generally takes about 15 minutes to perform. You would need to abstain from eating and drinking a few hours before the procedure. 

You would be able to go home soon after the procedure and eat and drink as normal. If you have sedation you would need somebody to escort you home as the sedation may leave you feeling drowsy.