Come on, now. You don’t spend much time thinking about your bile duct, do you? That’s because when you feel good and your body seems to be humming along as it should, its inner workings don’t enter the radar screen. Yet, if something goes awry—like an obstruction in your bile duct—it makes its presence known and can feel a bit like a punch in the gut.
Guttural Response
Bile duct (or biliary obstruction) occurs when a stone becomes too large and gets lodged in the bile duct. Your bile ducts carry bile (a dark-green or yellowish-brown fluid secreted by the liver that helps digestion)from the liver and gallbladder through the pancreas to the duodenum (a part of the small intestine).
“When a patient experiences bile duct obstruction, it can be both agonizing and dangerous—and can also lead to serious conditions requiring immediate medical attention. Up until recently, the surgery for this condition required large incisions and was technically very difficult since the bile duct is located deep within the abdomen,” says Manmeet Padda, M.D., gastroenterologist on staff at Medical City McKinney. “But, here’s the good news: Fortunately—for the scores of patients affected by this condition—Medical City McKinney offers an effective and minimally-invasive treatment for the removal of biliary stones.”
Introducing SpyGlass® Direct Visualization System
The SpyGlass Direct Visualization System is an intuitive platform that enables simple, single-operator, direct visualization examination of the bile ducts for detection and treatment of large stones throughout the pancreatico-biliary system.
The SpyGlass Direct Visualization probe is a fiber optic device designed to optimize light delivery to the anatomy and to acquire and transmit endoscopic images back to the camera.
“Essentially, this remarkable new instrument is a game-changer for patients with this condition. By performing site-specific examinations of the bile duct lining, this new technology enables us to remove large stones, as well as those that could not be reached with former procedures,” Dr. Padda says. “What’s more, this new modality promises to be an invaluable tool in the early detection and treatment of liver and bile duct disease and/or obstructions.”
Outpatient Procedure—Outstanding Results
And, the good news continues. SpyGlass is not only highly effective, it is also a minimally-invasive procedure that is performed on an outpatient basis.
The procedure involves absolutely no incisions, since we enter the body through a natural orifice (the mouth). It is a very safe and effective procedure. Typically, patients go home the same day and the recovery time is very minimal. Before they know it, patients feel great with newly restored appetites and energy levels,” Dr. Padda says.
About Medical City McKinney
Medical City McKinney is a 260-bed, acute care hospital that offers comprehensive services including a Level III trauma center, cardiovascular, neurological services, general surgery, orthopedics, women’s services, a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and psychiatric services. MCM is a primary stroke center and achieved the Joint Commission’s prestigious Top Performer recognition for sustaining excellence in heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia, surgical care, stroke and perinatal care. Medical City ER Stonebridge, located at Custer and Hwy 380, is Medical City McKinney’s provider-based emergency room. Medical City McKinney is part of Medical City Healthcare. For more information: www.medicalcitymckinney.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.