About Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Key Highlights
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Provides rapid diagnosis and localization of the bleeding source using advanced endoscopic or imaging techniques.Offers immediate therapeutic intervention during the same procedure to stop active bleeding (e.g., clipping, cauterization).Can prevent life-threatening blood loss and the need for blood transfusions.Addresses the root cause, which may reduce the risk of recurrent bleeding episodes.Performed by a specialized surgeon with expertise in both gastrointestinal anatomy and minimally invasive techniques.
Who is this surgery for?
- Active vomiting of blood (hematemesis) or passing black, tarry stools (melena).
- Significant drop in hemoglobin or hematocrit levels indicating occult blood loss.
- Bleeding from known conditions like peptic ulcers, esophageal varices, or diverticulosis.
- Failure of conservative medical management (e.g., IV fluids, medications) to control bleeding.
- Suspected bleeding from tumors, polyps, or vascular malformations (e.g., angiodysplasia) within the GI tract.
- Severe or recurrent bleeding where the source is not identified by non-invasive methods.
How to prepare
- Complete blood count (CBC), coagulation profile, and blood typing/crossmatching are performed.
- Patient is kept nil by mouth (NPO) for 6-8 hours before any endoscopic or surgical procedure.
- Intravenous (IV) access is established for fluid resuscitation and medication administration.
- Informed consent is obtained after explaining the procedure, risks, and alternatives.
- For lower GI bleeding, bowel preparation with laxatives may be required for a colonoscopy.
- Critical patients may require stabilization in an ICU setting prior to the procedure.
Risks & possible complications
- Risk of perforation (a hole) in the gastrointestinal tract during endoscopic or surgical intervention.
- Potential for infection at the surgical site or within the abdomen (peritonitis).
- Re-bleeding from the treated site, requiring further intervention.
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia or sedatives used during the procedure.
- Formation of scar tissue (strictures) that may cause future bowel obstruction.
- Risks associated with blood transfusion, if required, such as allergic reactions or transfusion-related infections.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial monitoring in a recovery area or ICU for vital signs and signs of re-bleeding.
- Gradual reintroduction of liquids and then a soft diet as tolerated, usually within 24-48 hours.
- Pain management with prescribed medications.
- Temporary activity restrictions, avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous exercise.
- Follow-up appointments to monitor healing and review pathology reports if biopsies were taken.
- Adherence to any prescribed medications, such as proton pump inhibitors for ulcer healing.
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Typical hospital stay: 3-7 days
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Expected recovery time: 2-4 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering gastrointestinal bleeding in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for gastrointestinal bleeding in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform gastrointestinal bleeding. MediFyr helps you compare surgical gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for gastrointestinal bleeding compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Gastrointestinal Bleeding in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated surgical gastroenterology teams and experience managing patients undergoing gastrointestinal bleeding.
Olivia Davis, a 58-year-old high school...
Olivia Davis, a 58-year-old high school history teacher, had been managing occasional heartburn for years. Over the past three months, she noticed increasing fatigue and shortness of breath during her walks. Her stools became dark and tarry, and she felt dizzy standing up. Her primary doctor, concerned about anemia, ordered blood tests revealing a critically low hemoglobin level. A referral to a surgical gastroenterologist led to a colonoscopy, which identified a bleeding arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in her ascending colon. The doctor recommended an urgent endoscopic procedure to cauterize the bleeding vessel. During the colonoscopy, the AVM was successfully treated with argon plasma coagulation. Olivia spent one night in the hospital for observation. Her recovery at home was smooth, with her energy returning within two weeks as her anemia resolved. Emotionally, she was terrified by the sudden seriousness of her condition, fearing it was cancer. After the successful, minimally invasive procedure, she felt immense relief and a renewed focus on her health, returning to her classroom with gratitude.
Surgical Gastroenterologists for Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Explore experienced surgical gastroenterologists who regularly perform gastrointestinal bleeding and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 35 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 10 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 33 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
- 19 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 17 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 11 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 16 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore
- 12 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Jayanagar, Bangalore
- 30 Years Experience
- Gastroenterologist
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 25 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 29 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
SIMS Hospital Vadapalani, Chennai
- 18 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
Manipal Hospital Hebbal, Bangalore
- 22 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, vijayawada
- 4 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist
Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Hyderabad
- 14 Years Experience
- Surgical Gastroenterologist