Experts share advancements in weight loss and minimally invasive surgeries

Leading the conversation on cutting-edge surgical solutions for critical healthcare issues prevalent in Saudi Arabia, renowned experts convened in Riyadh for an international symposium titled "Advancements in Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery. The symposium was organized by Sanad Hospital, a part of Aster DM Healthcare.

The one-day Continuing Medical Education (CME) program saw participation of national and international surgeons from Sanad Hospital, Aster CMI Hospital in Bangalore, India, and Aster MIMS in Kerala, India.

The chairman of the symposium, Dr. Abdullah Al-Massod, consultant in Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Sanad Hospital, Riyadh, said: "Our endeavor is to train our surgeons and specialists in latest surgical techniques, such as minimally invasive procedures to enhance patient experience and enable faster recovery. The CME is an important knowledge exchange platform where we are bringing together the best experts in the field to share their valuable experience.”

Studies have found that bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for obesity. During the in-depth discussions, experts deliberated on the best approaches for bariatric surgery in patients with Type 2 Diabetes and efficient weight management practices.

Another session on GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) provided key insight into better diagnosis and management of the condition. GERD is a digestive disorder characterized by acid reflux. The burden of the disease is high as it affects the quality of life of patients, resulting in both direct healthcare related costs as well as indirect costs due to loss of productivity.

"The work we do is driven by our promise to providing patient centric healthcare solutions for a wide range of the disease and therapy areas. The hospital has fully equipped facilities with specialized medical teams comprised of consultants, surgeons, trained nurses, technicians and ancillary staff. The CME underlines our commitment to building a strong cadre of medical experts who can meet the growing needs of patients in Saudi Arabia," said Dr. Fadi Ghareeb, chief operating officer, head of surgery and consultant in neuro & spine surgery at Sanad Hospital.

The second half of the symposium dwelt on understanding hernia and advances in hernia surgery.

A hernia occurs when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. For example, the intestines may break through a weakened area in the abdominal wall. The speakers highlighted the new developments in minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures, where doctors use a variety of surgical techniques that cause less trauma than open surgery. Overall, minimally invasive surgery is associated with less pain, shorter hospital stay and fewer complications.