About Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
Key Highlights
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Precise localization and control of bleeding source using advanced endoscopic or surgical techniques.Prevents life-threatening complications from significant blood loss and anemia.Allows for simultaneous diagnosis of underlying conditions like diverticulosis, colitis, or tumors.Minimally invasive options (therapeutic colonoscopy) can often resolve the issue without major surgery.Performed by a specialist with focused expertise in both gastrointestinal medicine and surgery.
Who is this surgery for?
- Active, significant rectal bleeding (hematochezia) that does not stop spontaneously.
- Signs of hemorrhagic shock, such as low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, or dizziness, due to blood loss.
- Persistent iron-deficiency anemia suspected to be from a chronic lower GI bleed.
- Bleeding identified from sources like diverticula, angiodysplasias, or polyps during a diagnostic colonoscopy.
- Suspected bleeding from inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., ulcerative colitis) or colorectal cancer.
- Failure of conservative medical management to control the hemorrhage.
How to prepare
- Immediate intravenous (IV) access for fluid resuscitation and possible blood transfusion.
- Stabilization of vital signs and correction of any clotting disorders.
- Bowel preparation (oral laxatives) if a colonoscopy is planned and the patient's condition allows.
- Fasting for several hours before any endoscopic or surgical procedure.
- Review of current medications, especially blood thinners (anticoagulants), which may need to be temporarily stopped.
- Informed consent process detailing the planned diagnostic and therapeutic steps.
Risks & possible complications
- Risk of perforation (a tear) in the intestinal wall during endoscopic or surgical intervention.
- Re-bleeding from the treated site or from a different, unidentified source.
- Infection at the surgical site or within the abdomen (peritonitis).
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia or sedation used during the procedure.
- Formation of scar tissue (strictures) that could narrow the intestine.
- Complications related to blood transfusion, if required.
- Potential need for a temporary or permanent colostomy, especially in extensive surgical cases.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial monitoring in a recovery area or hospital room to ensure bleeding has stopped and vital signs are stable.
- Gradual advancement from clear liquids to a soft, low-residue diet as tolerated.
- Pain management with prescribed medications.
- Instructions to watch for signs of re-bleeding (increased bloody stools, dizziness) or infection (fever, severe abdominal pain).
- Temporary activity restrictions, avoiding heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for several weeks.
- Follow-up appointments to monitor healing, review pathology reports (if tissue was removed), and discuss long-term management.
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Typical hospital stay: 3-7 days
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Expected recovery time: 2-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage 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 lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. 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 lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated surgical gastroenterology teams and experience managing patients undergoing lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
Angel Jones, a 68-year-old retired school...
Angel Jones, a 68-year-old retired school librarian, lives alone with her cat. She has a history of diverticulosis but had been managing it well with diet. Over the past week, she experienced increasing fatigue and noticed her stools had become dark, tarry, and foul-smelling. She initially dismissed it as something she ate, but when she felt dizzy and nearly fainted after getting up from her chair, she called her daughter, who insisted on taking her to the ER. In the ER, tests revealed a significant drop in her hemoglobin, indicating a serious lower GI bleed, likely from a diverticular bleed. The surgical gastroenterologist, Dr. Evans, recommended an urgent colonoscopy to locate and potentially treat the source of the bleeding. Angel was terrified of the procedure and the anesthesia, fearing she wouldn't wake up. During the colonoscopy, Dr. Evans found and successfully clipped a bleeding vessel in a diverticulum in her sigmoid colon. After the procedure, Angel spent a night in the hospital for observation. Her recovery at her daughter's house was slow but steady, focusing on a soft, high-fiber diet and plenty of fluids. The emotional journey was profound; before the procedure, she felt a deep fear of mortality and being a burden. Afterwards, she felt immense relief and gratitude. The experience prompted her to move closer to family, shifting her emotional state from isolated anxiety to connected security and a renewed appreciation for life.
Surgical Gastroenterologists for Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage
Explore experienced surgical gastroenterologists who regularly perform lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage 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