Gastrointestinal surgery

Gastrointestinal surgery includes the examination and treatment of various surgical diseases of the digestive tract from the oesophagus to the rectum, and surgical diseases of the liver, biliary ducts and pancreas. Gastrointestinal surgery also addresses diseases in some organs that are not part of the digestive tract, such as spleen and abdominal wall.

Gastrointestinal surgery is applied to treat several common cancers such as stomach, pancreatic and colonic cancers, and some diseases not requiring surgery, such as pancreatitis.

There are some diseases of the digestive tract that are treated conservatively or endoscopically by gastrointestinal surgeons and gastroenterologists, often in collaboration.. These diseases include reflux disease, gastric ulceration and inflammatory bowel disease.

Typical patient groups

Most patients are referred from an emergency unit as a result of an acute gastrointestinal problem. Other major patient groups include patients with intrabdominal malignancies, biliary problems or hernias, and patients with an appointment for an endoscopic procedure.

Emergency cases

Appendicitis and cholecystitis are typical examples of gastrointestinal emergencies requiring surgery. Intestinal obstructions, intestinal perforations and strangulated hernias are common surgical emergencies. Acute pancreatitis and various abdominal injuries are also very common in patients admitted to the emergency units.

Gastrointestinal surgery in the HUS area

In the HUCH area, patients requiring basic gastrointestinal surgery are examined and treated at Meilahti Tower Hospital, the Surgical Hospital and the hospitals in Jorvi and Peijas. In the larger HUS area, treatment is also provided at Lohja, Hyvinkää, Porvoo and Länsi-Uusimaa hospitals.

Patients requiring demanding gastrointestinal surgery (large cancer surgery, for example) are treated at the locations of the HUH Abdominal Center in Meilahti Tower Hospital and Jorvi Hospital. The center provides e.g. surgical treatment and intensive care for patients suffering from severe pancreatitis. 

The HUH Abdominal center is known for successfully performing challenging endoscopic procedures as well as robotic surgery.