CHI Memorial Surgical Associates

Heartburn, indigestion or chest discomfort are feelings many people experience occasionally after a rich or heavy meal. People living with gastroesophageal reflux disease (commonly called GERD), can experience those uncomfortable feelings on a daily basis. Minimally invasive surgical options are available to help control or even alleviate these painful symptoms.

An appendectomy is a standard surgery procedure to remove the appendix when it has become infected. A laparoscopic appendectomy is a minimally invasive surgery to remove the appendix through several small incisions, rather than through one large one.

A colon resection may be necessary to treat colon cancer or when the colon has become inflamed by Crohn's disease, colitis and diverticulitis.

A cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) may be necessary when gallstones have formed in the gallbladder or bile duct, when large polyps have formed or when the gallbladder or pancreas have become inflamed. 

When tissue pushes through muscle a hernia repair may be necessary. Most hernias occur in the abdomen or groin. Epigastric, femoral, hiatal, incisional, inguinal, umbilical and ventral hernias can be repaired surgically. 

When the intestine becomes obstructed and non-surgical methods have not provided effective relief surgical intervention may be necessary to prevent permanent damage to the intestine. 

Not all tumors require surgical removal, and not all tumors are cancerous. However, tumor removal is a common type of surgery.