Venue: – Melmana Gardens, Ooramana
Date & Time:- 22/03/2026 4PM to 6PM
Theme: Abdomen – Pandora’s Box
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Vergis Paul, MOSC Medical College, Kolenchery

Keynote Address Summary

Prof. Dr. Vergis Paul started his talk with the Greek mythology behind the idiom Pandora’s Box. In Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman, created by the Gods to punish humanity after Prometheus stole fire. Zeus gave her sealed jar (later mistranslated as a box), as a wedding gift, which she was forbidden to open. Driven by curiosity, she opened it, releasing all evils, diseases and sorrows into the world. Pandora managed to close the lid just in time to keep one thing inside:” Hope”. The story serves a cautionary tale about curiosity and an explanation for why suffering exists in the world. But amongst all sufferings, in the end there is an element of hope and that is what the speaker wanted to elicit through this idiom.
According to him the diligence of a surgeon to make appropriate decision to proceed for a surgery or opt not to do it make him the best surgeon. In other words, option for surgery needs to be handled with utmost care. A good surgeon does the surgery, a better surgeon decides when to do the surgery and the best one decides when not to.
Abdomen has nine areas. The upper part the Hypochondrium. Theliver is situated on the right side and the spleen on the left side and large intestine, in the middle portion the Epigastrium and the lower portion.

Problems of stomach: –

Main problem is gastritis which is due to acidity in the stomach. Hyper acidity can cause ulcers and so it is ulcerogenic. People belonging to certain blood groups have tendency to develop ulcers. Smoking is also ulcerogenic. In some cases of ulcers, it may bleed which cannot be detected easily and it is called occult blood. This can be diagnosed by faecal examination for occult blood. Hyper ketosis causes Hyper acidity which will lead to gastritis.
Another condition is carcinoma of stomach and junk food is a common cause for this condition. By taking the history of the case, the doctor gets the clue ie: – if the patient develops disinterest in non-vegetarian food suddenly, it is an indication of the development of carcinoma of stomach. Gallbladder stone:- Operation for Gallbladder stone (cholecystectomy) is warranted only if symptoms are present.

PANCREAS: –

It is a forgiving organ. Common disease condition of this organ is pancreatitis. Excess alcoholism is a predisposing cause for pancreatitis. This is not easily detectable in ultrasound. We may require different scans to diagnose the condition.

APPENDIX: –

The condition affecting this organ is called appendicitis. It is due to inflammatory process. It could be acute or chronic. If the surgery is not done within 2 or 3 days of the incidence, inflammation due to infection may set in and hence only after treating and curing the inflammatory condition, the surgery could be done.
In cases of improper bowel movement there will be stagnation of stool in the large intestine. The main function of large intestine is top absorb water. The intestine is made up of involuntary muscles and when there is stagnation of stool there will be no proper bowel movements which in turn will create problems like diverticula and infection. To prevent the stagnation of stool and decrease bowel movement we need to consume indigestible fibres which can retain water in the large intestine. A best recipe recommended is 250 gms of carrot, 250 gms of cucumber, 100 ml curd, salt, pepper and other spices. This combination is enough for two persons for one time. It can be consumed once or twice in a day. Along with this adequate water also (about 4 litres/day) should be taken. The advantage is the consumption of carbohydrate will be reduced as the stomach is more than ½ filled and so much so that it is very ideal for diabetic patients.

COLON:

Stagnant stool is carcinogenic. That is why colon cancer is more prevalent among people of western countries.

HERNIA:

Factors causing strain like severe cough, prostatomegaly, constipation etc. can cause hernia. Wherever the muscles are weak, the intestine may protrude through the weak muscle and cause hernia. The incidence of hernia can be avoided or at least reduced by avoiding the aforesaid predisposing causes.

HAEMORHOIDS:

Also knows as piles are swollen veins in the anus and rectum that can be caused by factors like age, pregnancy and constipation.
Constipation and prolonged straining are widely believed to cause haemorrhoids. This can be controlled by avoiding the causative conditions. For this the recipe mentioned earlier is found to be very effective.

LAPROSCOPIC SURGERY:

Also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery, uses a camera and specialised instruments inserted through small abdominal incisions to diagnose or treat conditions. Carbon dioxide gas is used to inflate the abdomen for better viewing through the camera. This procedure has advantages and disadvantages and so it is better to leave the option to the consultant doctor.

Dr P.O Abraham.
Executive Secretary