Gastro Flash Vol-9, No-1, 2023

Obesity - defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 – has emerged as a pandemic disease, affecting approximately 650 million people worldwide; and the incidence seems to be increasing continuously. The disease has a multifactorial etiology, contributed by several factors ranging from non-modifiable factors like genetic predisposition to modifiable actors like sedentary habits and unbalanced & unhealthy diets. Furthermore, what more concerning is the fact that obesity in itself is a risk factor for several other diseases including type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, and hepatic & cardiovascular complications. These health risks are in addition to its rampant social implications that significantly hamper the everyday activities and daily life of those having obesity.

We are in the midst of rapid advancements in the field of medical and surgical technology. Surgical techniques and procedures have undergone several modifications and changes over time, improving precision and overall patient outcomes. Laparoscopic surgery is one such innovation that marked a fundamental milestone in the evolution of surgical techniques. It considerably eased the way surgeries were performed in the past, minimizing trauma and improving recovery time compared to traditional open surgeries. Intriguingly in the 1980s, the pioneers of laparoscopic surgery, Semm K and Muehe,changed laparoscopy from a predominant diagnostic procedure (diagnostic laparoscopy) to a surgical procedure. Since then, traditional laparoscopy has underwent several technological advancements including introduction of minimally invasive surgeries which has facilitated their safe and rational application in a wide variety of surgical indications.

Hemorrhoids, one of the most common anorectal condition is defined as the symptomatic enlargement and/or distal displacement of anal cushions, which are prominences of anal mucosa formed by loose connective tissue, smooth muscle, arterial and venous vessels.1,2 Hemorrhoids impose a significant medical and socioeconomic burden as they tend to affect millions of people around the world. Constipation and prolonged straining are the associated etiological factors for hemorrhoids development. Hemorrhoids have been regarded as major cause of morbidity and impose both economical and social impact on society. Its social impact could be associated with lifestyles, such as interpersonal, and impacted by food and hygienic and sexual habits. Its economic burden on health systems is directly associated with direct cost and working days lost. It significantly affects the quality of life of patients due to its sensitive symptoms such as anal bleeding, pain and itching sensation thus creating both physical and psychological discomfort.

Abdominal colic is non-traumatic in origin, which requires urgent attention and treatment. In the emergency department, it accounts for about 7-10% of cases. Abdominal colic can present as a disease spectrum ranging from self-limiting disease to surgical emergency. Most abdominal pain are benign, and about 10% or less are serious or ife-threatening and are treated surgically. Therefore, a thorough and logical approach to diagnosing abdominal pain is required.