Surgery Options

Hernia Surgery

A hernia occurs when the an area of natural weakness in the abdominal (tummy) wall gives way and allows the lining of the abdominal cavity to start to bulge. They are occasionally uncomfortable but will slowly increase in size if left with a very small chance of something getting in trapped in the bulge needing more urgent surgery. Although they are sometimes called a "rupture" they do not burst through the tummy wall.

The commenest types of hernia are found in the groin

• Inguinal Hernia
• Femoral Hernia

Other hernias appear through the front of the tummy wall and are called ventral hernias

• Umbilical Hernia
• Epigastric Hernia
• Spigelian Hernia

A special form of ventral hernia is one that appears through a previous wound in the tummy wall

• Incisional Hernia

Surgery to repair all hernias involves removing the bulge and reinforcing the tummy wall. This can be done as an open operation or a laparoscopic operation

Groin Pain

Although groin hernias can cause groin pain not all groin pain is caused by a hernia.

It is becoming increasingly common for very small hernias in the groin to be diagnosed on an ultrasound scan. This hernia is then attributed to the pain. This may not be correct and if you have groin pain you will need to be assessed with a full musculoskeletal examination of the area and possibly an MRI scan of your pelvis, hips or back.

Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery

The diagnosis and management of disease of the oesophagus, stomach, duodenum and small bowel. Patients often present with indigestion symptoms (dyspepsia) and a common diagnostic procedure would be a gastroscopy to look at the internal lining of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum for ulcers, inflammation or cancer.

Operations would include anti-reflux surgery for acid reflux (GORD) and hiatus hernia. The diagnosis and management of disease of the oesophagus, stomach, duodenum and small bowel. Patients often present with indigestion symptoms (dyspepsia) and a common diagnostic procedure would be a gastroscopy to look at the internal lining of the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum for ulcers, inflammation or cancer.

Mr Willson does no longer performs surgery for cancer of the upper gut or surgery for achalasia and does not perform Stretta or Linx procedures for gastroesophageal reflux.

Hepatobiliary Surgery

The diagnosis and management of disease of the gall bladder, bile duct, liver, pancreas and spleen. The commonest condition is gallstones, which can give rise to various types of severe upper abdominal pain, and a common diagnostic procedure would be an ultrasound scan to make a diagnosis.

The most common operation is a cholecystectomy but others include bile duct exploration for stones and removal of the spleen for haematological disorders.

Laparoscopic Surgery