Cholecystectomy or Gallbladder Surgery
What is a Cholecystectomy? Cholecystectomy or surgical removal of the gallbladder was previously a 'general surgical' operation that the majority of general surgeons would offer. Nowadays, however, its considered a specialist procedure because in some cases it can be a challenging and difficult procedure. How do you choose a gallbladder surgeon? When choosing a gallbladder surgeon make sure that they; have the following skill sets: Perform the procedure on a regular basis - i.e more than around 50 cases per year Are skilled enough to offer emergency procedures; as usually only the most comfortable surgeons will cholecystectomy will offer emergency procedures Offer intra-operative cholangiography (this [...]
Achalasia
Achalasia is a rare disorder of the food pipe (oesophagus), which can make it difficult to swallow food and drink. Normally, the muscles of the oesophagus contract to squeeze food along towards the stomach. Unfortunately, it is very rare and is often misdiagnosed and treated. Most GPs will only see one case in their life time. Mr Griffiths offers the following treatments for Achalasia - Botox injections - Therapeutic balloon dilatation - Laparoscopic Heller's myotomy Each treatment options has certain advantages and disadvantages and these are detailed on this table. Please see the following links to get you understand Achalasia https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/achalasia/ https://www.opa.org.uk/downloads/achalasia/achalasia-leaflet.pdf https://www.opa.org.uk/downloads/achalasia/patient-guide-to-achalasia-2018.pdf Mr Griffiths [...]
Oesophageal Cancer Awareness Month February 2018
Mr Ewen Griffiths, Consultant Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon at QEHB has marked oesophageal cancer awareness month this February by writing the following article on oesophageal cancer and how patients are supported at QEHB. https://www.qehb.org/oesophageal-cancer-awareness-month-2018 February is oesophageal cancer awareness month. Many cancer charities come together on this month to raise public awareness of oesophageal cancer. These charities, include Cancer Research UK, Oesophageal Patients Association, Ochre, Barratt’s oesophagus campaign, Action Against Heartburn amongst many others. Oesophageal cancer is a devastating cancer which usually affects the lower oesophagus. Unfortunately it usually present late when curable treatment option are limited. When the cancer is caught earlier, however, more curable [...]
Yahoo Style
Mr Ewen Griffiths, consultant general and gastrointestinal surgeon at The Edgbaston Hospital in Birmingham wrote about Happiness in the Upper Gastrointestinal System in Yahoo Style online magazine. Please see the link below for the article. https://uk.style.yahoo.com/heres-happens-body-youre-happy-151109563.html Your stomach They say you can eat your way to happiness by consuming the right kind of foods, but how content you are has an effect on your stomach health too. “If you are happy, your body is more likely to carefully swallow, digest and process a range of foods without any ill effects, acid reflux or indigestion,” explains Mr Ewen Griffiths, consultant general and gastrointestinal surgeon at The Edgbaston Hospital [...]
Youtube Videos on recovering from oesophageal and gastric cancer surgery and treatment
Youtube Videos on recovering from oesophageal and gastric cancer surgery and treatment Quality information on the internet on recovering from oesophageal and gastric cancer treatment is difficult to find. I recommend these youtube videos to help understand aspects of treatment. I hope you find them informative and interesting to watch. Please note these patients were treated in other UK centres and not by me. Brian Papworth It took Brian a while to bring a sense of normality back into his life. He explains how little steps back into eating, drinking, walking and driving let him regain his freedom and this is part of a [...]
Art Group
Upper GI Art Group A Turn for the Better is a collaborative art project between an artist, a surgeon and a group of patients recovering from treatment and surgery for oesophageal or gastric cancer, and their carers and relatives. Some of the the images and narratives on this website are from diaries and records that the patients kept before, during and after their diagnosis and treatment. Other images and texts come from a series of workshops with the artist where practical and emotional experiences were explored to enable her to make a permanent piece of work for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham . The intention is [...]
