Dr. Sarfaraz Jalil Baig, Author at Digestive Surgery Clinic

Jun 14 Comments Off

Chronic Pancreatitis – Learn How It is Cured!

Posted by Dr. Sarfaraz Jalil Baig

Here is a case of chronic pancreatitis that was managed surgically at our center.

A 40 year old diabetic female was referred with intractable pain abdomen. She was a known case of chronic pancreatitis managed on medical treatment (pancreatic enzymes, analgesics) for the last 3 years. She also had developed diabetes during this period.

CT and MRCP picked up a large impacted stone at the head of pancreas with dilated pancreatic duct and atrophic pancreas.

After optimising, a decision to do laparoscopic lateral pancreatojejunostomy was taken. The stone and pus was removed from the duct and it was joined with a limb of jejunum.

She recovered well and was discharged in a painless condition on the 5th postoperative day.

Here is how it was done:

Jun 14 Comments Off

Abdominal Sepsis Treatment – The Step-by-Step Procedure

Posted by Dr. Sarfaraz Jalil Baig

A 35 year old woman was referred to Digestive Surgery Clinic with abdominal sepsis following a cholecystectomy on her 11th postoperative day.

CT picked up a large collection of bile in the upper abdomen. A pigtail catheter was introduced radiologically along with antibiotics. Owing to residual sepsis, a laparoscopic drainage was undertaken subsequently, following which she recovered rapidly. A controlled biliary fistula developed that persisted for a month.

MRCP showed dilated left and right hepatic ducts and a block at the confluence of ducts. No vascular injury was identified.

A definitive repair of the bile duct in the form of left hepaticojejunostomy was done.

The link below shows the critical steps of the procedure that is vital to good long term outcome.

May 23 Comments Off

A Show of Confidence – From Difficulty In Walking To Walking The Ramp

Posted by Dr. Sarfaraz Jalil Baig

Obesity is one of the biggest diseases of our times. The damage it incurs on individual health, quality of life and on economy is huge. The treatment of obesity is difficult. Dieting and physical activity is frequently ineffective in its management.

In such a grim scenario, the dramatic success of bariatric surgery has brought some hope for millions of obese patients in the world who are struggling with their weight, obesity, arthritis, Infertility, etc.

However, there is lack of awareness regarding this treatment strategy (bariatric surgery) in our society. There is also scepticism and misconceptions amongst many – one such being that patients become weak after surgery. Frequently, many patients do not reveal their bariatric status for the fear of prejudice and discrimination.

To dispel this misconception and encourage patients to come forward with their identity, a fashion show was conceptualised by Dr Sarfaraz J Baig, Bariatric Surgeon, Belle Vue Clinic, where his patients who have undergone bariatric surgery walked the ramp with models and members of the Calcutta Swimming Club.

For people who once had difficulty in walking because of their excess weight, the walk on the ramp in front of a large audience and special guests such as Agnimitra Paul and Rachna Banerjee was a supreme demonstration of their confidence. They send out the social message that a healthy body is the best fashion statement. And Bariatric surgery gives a second chance of health to many obese people.

Agnimitra Paul, eminent fashion designer and Rachna Banerjee, eminent Tollywood actress graced this occasion and lauded the confidence and beauty of the post-surgery participants.

Dr Sarfaraz J Baig said after the event -“Bariatric surgery has now become a mainstream surgery. It gives obese patients struggling with their excess weight, diabetes, arthritis a second chance in life. There is a considerable need to spread the awareness of this surgery and dispel misperceptions regarding it.”

Feb 02 Comments Off

Laparoscopic Surgery is Advantageous in Colon Cancer Patients

Posted by Dr. Sarfaraz Jalil Baig

Colon cancer are among’st those cancers that fare better than the other abdominal cancers. The mainstay therapy is surgical removal of the tumor.

Conventionally the operation is done by making a large incision on the abdomen. This means more pain, prolonged hospital stay, higher chance of wound infection and hernia.

In the last decade, colon cancer surgery is increasingly performed by laparoscopic technique – operation done by making tiny holes in the abdomen. This implies less pain, faster recovery and less chance of wound infection and hernia.

There are reports that the chances of making a stoma – an artificial anus in the abdomen- is less when surgery for rectal cancer is done laparoscopically than when done by conventional technique.

There were some concerns regarding inadequate cancer surgery earlier but modern research has dispelled those fears.

Encouraged by the success of laparoscopic technique in colon cancers, the technique has been expanded to include other cancers such as in the stomach, esophagus and pancreas.

Jan 19 Comments Off

Arthritis, Obesity and Bariatric Surgery

Posted by Dr. Sarfaraz Jalil Baig

Obese people frequently have knee pain that makes walking painful. This is more common with advancing age. It prevents them from walking, playing sports and enjoying vacations.

Some patients may benefit from medicines and physiotherapy and some may need joint replacement. However, weight loss remains the most important measure for long term relief.

If patients cannot lose weight through dieting, they can be offered bariatric surgery. Even the orthopedicians are recommending it these days.

After bariatric surgery, not only the patients lose significant weight, they start leading an active life because their knee pain is relieved dramatically. Those with diabetes, blood pressure and sleep apnea also have relief from these diseases.

Because of its diverse benefits, bariatric surgery is increasingly becoming popular amongst obese patients with arthritis even in the elderly age group!

Jan 14 Comments Off

Heartburns? A Laparoscopic Surgery Can Give Permanent Relief!

Posted by Dr. Sarfaraz Jalil Baig

1. Heartburns can be a source of great discomfort. Typically, it is brought on by eating spicy food. Many patients also have regurgitation of food from the stomach to the gullet and sometimes mouth. This can be aggravated at night. If left untreated, this may lead to cancer of the food pipe.

2. Many patients can benefit from medicines but in certain situations surgery is the better option:

A. Those who have hiatus hernia (big gap in the partition between chest and abdomen making the stomach enter the chest)
B. Those who want to avoid taking the pills lifelong
C. When medicines are not working
D. Where reflux is causing very distressing

3. Surgery for heartburns and regurgitation (Fundoplication) can be done laparoscopically; hence, it is almost painless, needs one day hospital stay and patients can return to work within 3-5 days.

All posts by Dr. Sarfaraz Jalil Baig

Here is a case of chronic pancreatitis that was managed surgically at our center.