Surgery plays a “ STARR” ing role in providing relief from chronic constipation A visit to a doctor is not particularly looked forward to, no one likes to be prodded and probed. We at ‘Healing hands clinic’ understand that. We understand the plight of a patient of constipation. Most patients are reluctant to discuss their predicament even with their trusted family physicians, even though it’s a condition that is as common an occurrence as the flu. Without timely intervention and care, this condition has a tendency to acquire a chronic status, more so among people who have a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits. Even those who do reach out for access to care tend to opt for medicinal relief which is not only temporary but also taxing on the patient. What follows is merely episodic care and never ending visits to the doctors for many years to come. Many patients of chronic constipation suffer from Obstructed Defecation Syndrome (ODS)-a condition where the affected person has a normal desire to defecate but is unable to do so without increased straining, repetitive visits to the toilet, manual digitation, routine use of laxatives and enemas. More common among women, it is also becoming routinely diagnosed in men now. The intervention measures haven’t changed much in India and remains limited to symptomatic care and dietic manipulation even though considerable progress has been made in the treatment of chronic constipation in the west. This is where our clinic differs. Unlike other facilities, we prefer to provide our patients permanent solutions. The founder of ‘Healing hands clinic’ – Dr Ashwin Porwal brings with him excellent expertise in the management of chronic constipation. Our clinic provides the patient an opportunity to seek a ‘CURE’ for their ailment via a simple procedure called STARR surgery (Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection). The procedure is routinely offered in the European Union, US and UK and our clinic is one of the very few facilities providing this treatment option in India. Infact, Dr Porwal has been trained internationally and is one of the only four experts in STARR surgery in the country. The procedure is minimally invasive; it’s performed through the anus and requires no external incisions. Patients do not have to worry about any visible scars and their day to day life doesn’t really suffer because hospitalization duration is only 24 hours on an average. During the procedure, deformities and defects causing ODS are removed with the aid of a surgical stapler allowing the patient to lead a normal productive life in the years to follow. Clinical studies have proven the efficacy of the procedure as have the testimonials of satisfied patients the world over. It’s indeed a matter of pride to have the technical and professional expertise for this star of a surgery in our country and we at ‘Healing hands clinic’ have a dedicated team of surgeons and nutritionists that shall guide and support the patient through the whole process including the pre-operative preparation and the post-op recovery period. STARR surgery is the procedure of choice for anyone looking for a welcome respite from the limitations imposed on life by chronic constipation. www.healinghandsclinic.co.in