GENERAL SURGERY

Gallstones are very common and most people will experience them at some point in their life. They are small solid lumps that can form in bile and can present a variety of symptoms. There can be many reasons they occur and often people do not realise they have gallstones. Symptoms can include:

• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Yellowing 

Gallstones are very common and most people will experience them at some point in their life. They are small solid lumps that can form in bile and can present a variety of symptoms. There can be many reasons they occur and often people do not realise they have gallstones. Symptoms can include:

• Loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Yellowing of the skin and/or eyes (jaundice)
• Itching

There are various options to assess gallstones including blood tests, an ultrasound or MRI or CT scans. Similarly depending on the results there can be various treatment options including surgery and endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) a procedure that can be used to remove gallstones from the bile duct.  

Our surgeons have many years of experience in the treatment of GORD and have pioneered laparoscopic, endoscopic and most recently the use of LINX in the UK. We work with the Functional Gut Clinic who are at the forefront of using modern technology to determine what is happening in the GI tract.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is

Our surgeons have many years of experience in the treatment of GORD and have pioneered laparoscopic, endoscopic and most recently the use of LINX in the UK. We work with the Functional Gut Clinic who are at the forefront of using modern technology to determine what is happening in the GI tract.

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is a common condition, where acid from the stomach leaks up into the oesophagus (gullet). GORD usually occurs as a result of the ring of muscle at the bottom of the esophagus becoming weakened. It causes symptoms such as heartburn and an unpleasant taste in the back of the mouth.  It may just be an occasional nuisance for some people, but for others it can be a severe, lifelong problem. 

It is important to establish the correct diagnosis as many other conditions can mimic GORD and in particular to rule out any serious conditions before starting any specific treatment. We can establish the diagnosis based on your symptoms and a number of tests including:

• Our online questionnaire
• Endoscopic examination of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum
• Measurement of acid and gastric reflux into the oesophagus
• Measurement of the functioning of the oesophagus.

Not all of these investigations will be required, and our team will advise on the most appropriate according to your requirements.

Treatment for GORD can be divided into medical treatment or surgical intervention. Much can be achieved by dietetic advice and optimising medications and our multi-disciplinary team are experts in achieving successful resolution of GORD symptoms. 

A hernia happens when an internal organ pushes through a weak spot in your muscle or tissue. There are several types of hernia that you can experience including inguinal hernias, femoral hernias, umbilical hernias and hiatal hernias. There are various reasons you may experience a hernia, some may have been present since birth or throug

A hernia happens when an internal organ pushes through a weak spot in your muscle or tissue. There are several types of hernia that you can experience including inguinal hernias, femoral hernias, umbilical hernias and hiatal hernias. There are various reasons you may experience a hernia, some may have been present since birth or through aging or strain related activities. You may be in discomfort or pain and it is very important to get a hernia treated quickly. The majority of hernias are either inguinal or femoral (approx. 80%).

A hernia in the abdomen or groin can include symptoms such as:

• A bulge or swelling
• Pain in and around the area
• Pain when you move or lift things
• A dull ache
• Feeling full

In the case of hiatal hernias there are no bulges on the outside of the body. Symptoms may include:

• Heartburn
• Chest pain
• Indigestion
• Problems swallowing
• Regurgitation

A hernia will often not go away on its own and requires surgery. The type of surgery will depend on the type of hernia, different techniques are better suited for different patients’, but we offer all of the following options:

• Local anaesthetic repair
• Suture-less mesh repair
• Sutured repairs (without mesh)
• Keyhole repairs

All options will be discussed at your consultation with one of our Consultant General Surgeons.