Glossary

Glossary

Anti-reflux surgery
Surgery aimed at stopping gastroesophageal reflux

Board Certified
A Physician having passed both written and oral examinations given every 10 years by a Board of peer physicians.

Diaphragm
The abdominal cavity is separated from the chest by a thin muscle layer called the diaphragm.

Dumping syndrome
Occurs after gastrectomy. It is related to the loss of the pylorus. Food rushes directly into the small bowel instead of being kept in the stomach for a first digestion. This can cause malaise, sweating and dizziness.

Duodenum
First part of the small bowel that follows the stomach. This is where food is mixed with enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the liver.

Duodenal ulcer
Ulcer of the duodenum in most cases caused by a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori.

Dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing

Enzymes
Help digesting food. Their main source is the pancreas and the small bowel.

Esophageal Cancer
Cancer can develop over the whole length of the esophagus. The main symptom caused by esophageal cancer is difficulty swallowing food or dysphagia.

Esophageal Manometry
Pressure measurement in the esophagus. Most of the time to measure the closure muscle at the lower end which keeps stomach contents from refluxing back into the esophagus.

Esophageal Stricture
Tightening of the esophagus as a consequence of cancer or chronic inflammation secondary to reflux.

Esophageal Wrap
See fundoplication

Esophagus
Commonly referred to as food pipe. It connects the mouth to the stomach.

Fundoplication
Is an operation that wraps the upper part of the stomach (fundus) around the esophagus in order to prevent reflux.

Gastrectomy
Removal of a part of the stomach. Total gastrectomy means removal of the whole stomach.

Gastroesophageal Reflux
Commonly referred to as heartburn. It is caused by acid containing stomach fluid reaching the esophagus (food pipe).

Heartburn
Also referred to as reflux. It is caused by acid containing stomach fluid reaching the esophagus (food pipe).

Hiatal Hernia
The stomach usually resides entirely in the abdomen. The abdominal cavity is separated from the chest by a thin muscle layer called the diaphragm. A hiatal hernia describes a gap in this layer allowing the stomach and its connection to the esophagus to move up into the chest. This condition can cause reflux (heartburn).

Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication
A fundoplication performed entirely by laparoscopy

Laser Surgery
Surgery using a laser Knife, commonly used on eyes or in the throat.

Myotomy, Heller Myotomy
Cutting of the closure muscle at the lower end of the esophagus to release muscle spasm. This is done for the treatment of achalasia.

Nissen Fundoplication
Specific type of fundoplication, named after a German Surgeon, Rudolf Nissen.

Obesity Surgery
Surgery aimed at reducing the capacity of the stomach to induce weight loss.

Paraesophageal Hernia
Is a hernia going from the abdomen into the chest containing the body of the stomach. This form of hernia can be dangerous since the stomach can twist on itself and cut off blood flow.

Peptic Ulcer
Ulcer of the stomach or duodenum caused by stomach acid.

Post-gastrectomy Syndrome
Symptoms related to the loss of parts of the stomach or the whole stomach.

Pylorus
Muscle that controls the exit of the stomach. It opens in order to let food pass.

Reflux
Commonly referred to as heartburn. It is caused by acid containing stomach fluid reaching the esophagus (food pipe).

Stomach
Part of the gastrointestinal tract that follows the esophagus. Food is partially digested in the stomach and then released into the first part of the small bowel, the duodenum. The muscle controlling the exit of the stomach is called the pylorus.

Stomach Cancer / Gastric Cancer
Cancer of the stomach. Symptoms can include weight loss, pain, bleeding and perforation.

Stomach Shrinking Operations
Operation aimed at reducing the capacity of the stomach to induce weight loss.

Stomach Wrap
See fundoplication

Ulcer
Ulcer describes generally a chronic wound that does not heal. Ulcers can develop throughout the gastrointestinal tract, i.e. mouth, esophagus, stomach, duoden um, small bowel, large bowel and rectum. Ulcers can cause bleeding or perforations.