Doctor-Reviewed Health Guides: Conditions, Procedures & Health News

SADI surgery, or single anastomosis duodenal-ileostomy, is a weight loss procedure that creates a smaller, tube-shaped stomach and reroutes part of the small intestine. Patients feel full sooner and absorb fewer calories. It is typically recommended for Class III obesity and can significantly improve conditions like Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

Robotic hernia surgery, also known as robotic-assisted laparoscopy, is a procedure that repairs hernias through small incisions using robotic instruments controlled by a surgeon from a console. A 3D view allows precise repair of inguinal, hiatal and umbilical hernias, often with mesh. Compared with open surgery, patients have less pain, recover faster and usually go home the same day.

Renal denervation is a procedure that uses radiofrequency or ultrasound energy to disrupt renal artery nerves that signal the body to keep blood pressure high. It is mainly for people with resistant hypertension or who cannot tolerate standard medications. Done under sedation in about one to two hours, it lowers blood pressure by an average of 5 to 10 mmHg.

Radioactive iodine therapy uses iodine-131 to target and destroy overactive or cancerous thyroid cells. Given as a capsule, liquid or IV, it treats Graves' disease, toxic thyroid nodules and papillary or follicular thyroid cancers. Patients follow a low-iodine diet beforehand and strict isolation and hygiene rules for several days afterward because bodily fluids temporarily emit radiation.

Pulsed field ablation is a procedure that treats atrial fibrillation by using electrical pulses to neutralize the heart cells responsible for abnormal rhythms. It is highly precise, significantly reducing the risk of damage to nearby structures like the esophagus or nerves. Most patients have shorter procedure times and often go home the same day.

Proctoscopy is a diagnostic procedure in which a provider uses a proctoscope, a straight, hollow, lighted tube, to view the inside of the rectum and anus. It is mainly used to find the source of rectal bleeding, screen for cancer or investigate changes in bowel habits. It is minimally invasive and fast and gives immediate feedback.

Proctectomy is a surgical procedure that removes rectal tissue to treat serious conditions like cancer, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, using open, laparoscopic or robotic methods. Whether the sphincter muscles can be preserved determines if an ostomy will be needed. Most patients spend several days in the hospital and recover gradually with dietary changes and physical therapy.

Plantar fasciitis surgery, primarily plantar fasciotomy, is an elective procedure that treats severe heel pain by cutting the plantar fascia to relieve tension. It is usually considered after months of unsuccessful nonsurgical treatment and can be done with open or endoscopic techniques. Recovery follows a structured four-week timeline, moving from crutches to supportive footwear and physical therapy.

Phalloplasty is a complex surgical procedure that constructs a penis, called a neophallus. It is used for congenital anomalies, traumatic injuries or penile cancer. The surgery aims to allow urination while standing, restore sensation and enable intercourse with implants. Depending on the patient's goals, it can involve one long operation or multiple stages over 12 to 18 months.

PFO closure is a procedure that seals a patent foramen ovale, a hole between the heart's upper chambers that did not close after birth. A specialist uses a catheter to place a permanent device across the opening, preventing abnormal blood flow and reducing stroke risk. Most procedures take one to two hours, followed by a brief hospital stay.

Peritoneal dialysis is a procedure that filters waste and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do the job. Unlike hemodialysis, it uses the peritoneum, the abdominal lining, as the filter. A solution called dialysate enters the abdomen through a permanent catheter, absorbs toxins and is drained, so treatment can be done at home.

A panniculectomy is a major surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the lower abdomen that hangs over the hips or thighs. It mainly treats discomfort, rashes and hygiene problems caused by this skin apron, or pannus, but does not tighten abdominal muscles. Recovery takes several weeks, and results are permanent if weight stays stable.

Ostomy surgery creates a small opening in the abdomen, known as a stoma, to let waste (poop or pee) exit when the natural pathway fails. Waste collects in an external bag. It can be temporary or permanent and treats conditions like colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, or severe obstructions. About 1 in 500 people live with an ostomy.

Ostomy reversal is surgery to reverse a temporary colostomy or ileostomy by reattaching the bowel ends and closing the stoma. It is performed once the underlying bowel condition has resolved and the surgical site has healed. It restores natural bowel function. Candidates must have adequate anal muscle control and no active infections or internal leaks at the original surgical site.

Open-heart surgery is an operation in which a surgeon makes a chest incision and cuts through the breastbone to reach the heart directly. It allows complex repairs such as bypass grafting, valve replacement or heart transplant. It typically takes several hours under general anesthesia, followed by a hospital stay and several weeks of healing at home.

A nipple-sparing mastectomy is a surgical procedure in which all breast tissue is removed while the outer skin, including the nipple and areola, is left intact. It is mainly used for people with isolated tumors or those having preventive surgery who plan immediate breast reconstruction. Preserving the skin and nipple aims to give a more natural cosmetic result.

Neurolysis is a procedure to relieve severe pain by intentionally destroying a specific nerve or nerve network. By injecting chemicals such as alcohol or phenol near the nerve, providers disrupt pain signals to the brain. It is commonly used for neuropathic pain, cancer-related pain, and visceral organ pain when other treatments have failed to provide adequate relief.

Nail trephination is a medical technique that treats a painful bruised nail by draining trapped blood from under the nail plate. A provider uses a sterile needle or heated electrocautery device to make a tiny opening, giving instant relief from pressure and throbbing pain. It works best within 48 hours of injury and should never be attempted at home.

A modified radical mastectomy is a surgery that removes the entire breast tissue, skin, nipple, areola and most underarm lymph nodes. It is typically recommended when cancer is widespread or has reached the lymph system. Unlike older methods, it spares the chest muscles, aiding recovery. It generally takes two to three hours and may include immediate or delayed reconstruction.

Minimally invasive surgery is a surgical technique that uses small incisions, often half an inch or less, with specialized instruments and cameras. Compared with open surgery, it minimizes tissue damage, leading to less scarring, lower infection risk and shorter hospital stays. It is common for procedures like gallbladder removal, but candidacy depends on individual health and operation complexity.

MicroTESE, or microsurgical testicular sperm extraction, is a specialized surgery that retrieves sperm directly from the testes. It is typically recommended for men with azoospermia. During the procedure, a urologist uses a surgical microscope to locate and extract sperm from fine tissue tubes, increasing the chance of finding viable sperm for fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF).

The male sling procedure involves placing a synthetic surgical tape around the urethral bulb to elevate and reinforce the urethra and bladder neck. Primarily used for mild to moderate incontinence after prostate surgery, it repositions the urethra to prevent leaks. Most patients return home the same day, with significant symptom improvement seen in nearly 80% of cases.

Lip reduction surgery is a procedure that removes unwanted skin and tissue from the upper, lower or both lips to achieve a desired size and shape. Performed as an outpatient procedure, it typically takes one hour under local anesthesia. Initial healing occurs within a week, and full results emerge over several months as swelling subsides. Results are permanent.

Laser lithotripsy is a surgical procedure that uses a focused laser to break up stones in the kidneys, bladder, ureters or urethra. Under general anesthesia, a urologist inserts a thin scope and laser fiber to fragment the stones, which are removed or passed naturally. It is particularly effective for large or hard stones, and recovery is typically quick.