“Rear Admiral Dr. Ton Kongbunsuk, Specialist in General Surgery and Colorectal Surgery, Phyathai 2 Hospital” spoke about intestinal surgery. Originally, surgical wounds were usually large and long, causing pain and prolonged wound soreness. The hospital stay was several days. The most concerning complication was leakage at the intestinal anastomosis inside the abdominal cavity, which could lead to severe abdominal infection. However, nowadays, surgery is not as frightening as it used to be. It can be done with minimally invasive surgery using safe and precise technology, resulting in less trauma and timely treatment of the disease.
Intestinal Surgery Today Is Not as Difficult as You Think
Currently, with advancements in technology and intestinal surgery techniques, the methods of intestinal surgery have changed significantly. Medical development has led to minimally invasive surgery (MIS).
With this technique, surgeons can operate on the intestines by making small incisions about 5 millimeters to 1 centimeter in size on the abdominal wall at approximately 3-5 locations. Instruments are inserted through these incisions to dissect the tissue attached to the part of the intestine that needs surgery. After dissecting the tissue, the surgeon makes a slightly larger incision on the abdomen to remove the diseased or pathological intestine and then reconnects the remaining intestine.
Regarding intestinal anastomosis, there are now automatic devices for cutting and suturing the intestines, which facilitate the process, especially in the narrow and deep pelvic area. Suturing with traditional thread is difficult in this area, so using these devices increases safety, convenience, and precision while reducing the time required.
Many People Fear Pain, Severe Injury, and Long Recovery
With minimally invasive surgery techniques and the use of intestinal cutting and suturing devices today, hospital stays are shorter, patients can resume eating sooner, and the need for pain medication after surgery is reduced.
Thanks to current medical advancements, the incidence of colostomy has greatly decreased. Improved surgical techniques allow patients to have normal bowel movements through the anus again, except for patients whose cancer has spread to the anal sphincter muscle, in which case the sphincter must be removed to eliminate the tumor from the body.
Don’t Fear Intestinal Surgery Because It’s Not as Scary as You Think
In today’s world, digital technology advances rapidly, and medical technology follows suit. New innovations in treatment, diagnosis, radiation therapy, and even surgery have become easier and less complicated, with fewer steps. Patients have minimal postoperative wounds and short recovery times. For example, small surgeries for colorectal cancer can be performed depending on the physician’s discretion.
