Endoscopic surgery first emerged in the world around 1989 and spread to Asia, including Thailand, around 1992. Although Thais have been familiar with this surgical innovation for some time, the medical field’s advancements in developing techniques, methods, as well as improvements in instruments and technologies, continue to progress steadily. The goal is to provide surgical treatments that enhance patients’ quality of life comprehensively and achieve the best possible outcomes.
Endoscopic Surgery Expertise of the Doctor
Dr. Sutthachit Leenanont is a surgeon specializing in endoscopic surgery and also the head of the Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery Center. He has extensive skills and experience in surgery. The doctor shared about endoscopic surgery that…
“Any disease that can be treated with open surgery involving a large incision and can also be treated with endoscopic surgery should opt for the endoscopic method. For example, lung surgery, where complications generally arise from open surgery, but endoscopic surgery helps reduce complications, significantly lowering side effects for patients. Another clear example is bariatric surgery. Initially, doctors used open abdominal surgery, which posed a high risk of death because the abdominal wall tension in obese patients is high. This often led to wound dehiscence and postoperative infections. Currently, the mortality rate for open bariatric surgery is about 5%, but if endoscopic bariatric surgery is chosen, the mortality rate is only 0.03%.”
Endoscopic Weight Loss Surgery for Obesity Treatment
Dr. Sutthachit is one of the Thai surgeons who has developed and innovated bariatric surgery techniques widely recognized by leading medical institutions. The Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery Center at Phyathai 2 Hospital uses endoscopic surgical technology for weight loss surgery under the principles of “reducing absorption” and “restricting food intake”.
When patients consult about weight loss surgery, the doctor explains all details, including the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of various types of bariatric surgery, to help patients decide on the most suitable method. The doctor plans treatment tailored to each patient, considering safety standards and expected outcomes. There are several surgical and treatment approaches, such as:
- Teller med, including Gastric Bypass, which uses a bypass segment to aid surgery effectively, but after one year, the body tends to revert to its original state.
- Gastric Sleeve, a surgery that reduces stomach size to limit food intake.
- Gastric Banding, the simplest method but often has early complications.
- Gastric Balloon, where a balloon is inserted into the stomach for a period. In successful cases, weight loss occurs within three months, after which the balloon is punctured and removed. This method may cause vomiting; in severe cases, the balloon must be removed immediately. After balloon removal, patients may experience a yo-yo effect, regaining weight.
Besides bariatric surgery, the doctor also applies endoscopic surgery to treat various conditions such as gallbladder stone removal, colon surgery, kidney surgery, appendectomy, and hernia repair.
“I feel proud every time I perform surgery that helps patients regain a better life. The patients themselves feel more confident with their new bodies and thank me for the care because it feels like giving them a new life. As their confidence grows, they start taking better care of themselves, gain motivation to care for those around them, and naturally spread positive energy to society.”
Lieutenant General Dr. Sutthachit Leenanont
Specialist in Endoscopic Surgery
Surgical Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital
