Definitions
Breast surgery may involve any of a variety of surgical procedures carried out on the breasts of women (generally) and men. These procedures may include removing a sample of tissue from a breast
tumour (abnormal growth), as well as removing malignant (cancerous) tumours. Surgery may also include breast reconstruction following a mastectomy (breast removal) for breast cancer. The surgeons who perform this type of breast reconstruction may be breast oncology (cancer) surgeons or plastic surgeons. (Surgeons trained in both specialities are known as oncoplastic surgeons.) Some breast surgeons also do cosmetic breast surgery, including enlargement and reduction.moreColorectal surgery is used to repair damage to the colon, rectum and anus. Surgery is a vital treatment option for colorectal cancer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, and some cases of
diverticulitis, often resulting in reconstruction of the intestinal tract. Other bowel conditions that may require surgery to a lesser extent include haemorrhoids, anal fissures (tears in the lining of the anus), bowel incontinence, and rectal prolapse. Most of these surgeries repair tears, remove blockages, or tighten sphincter muscles. Surgery is also sometimes used to treat pelvic floor disorders, such as perineal hernia and rectocele (bulging of the rectum towards the vagina). Some colorectal conditions or diseases may be treated with minimally invasive surgery, while others will require more complex procedures.moreEndoscopy involves examining the inside of the body with an endoscope, a lighted, flexible instrument that has a small camera on the tip. There are many types of endoscopes, and endoscopy, named
according to the organs or areas they are used to examine (e.g. arthroscopy examines joints; bronchoscopy examines the lungs; cystoscopy examines the bladder and urethra; laparoscopy may examine the ovaries, appendix or other abdominal organs; colonoscopy examines the bowel). An endoscope is passed through a natural body opening (e.g. mouth) or a small incision. Small instruments can be inserted through an endoscope and used to take samples of tissues for analysis (biopsy), to remove material (e.g. removing polyps during a colonoscopy), or to carry out a surgical procedure.moreGeneral surgery takes its name from general medicine, and is a surgical specialty focusing on the torso and abdominal organs. This may include the intestines comprising the oesophagus, stomach, small
and large intestines, pancreas, liver, gallbladder and bile ducts. It also often deals with diseases and disorders involving the skin and breasts.moreLaparoscopic cholecystectomy is removal of the gallbladder with the aid of a camera inserted into the abdomen. A small incision is made in the abdominal wall near the navel, through which a
laparoscope, a flexible lighted tube with a camera attached, is inserted to view the gallbladder. The surgery is carried out with instruments inserted in three other small cuts made in the right upper part of the abdomen. The gallbladder is then taken out through one of the incisions. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive technique that permits a shorter hospital stay and shorter recovery time with less pain.moreLaparoscopic surgery, also known as ‘keyhole surgery’, is carried out with the aid of a camera inserted into the abdomen or pelvis. A small incision is made in the abdominal wall through which a
laparoscope, a flexible lighted tube with a camera attached, is inserted so that structures within the abdomen and pelvis can be examined. The abdominal cavity is made more visible by distending it with an absorbable gas, usually carbon dioxide. A number of major and minor surgeries may be carried out. A variety of tubes and long, narrow instruments can be inserted through the same incision in the skin, or via other small incisions, facilitating a number of procedures without the need for a large surgical incision. The surgeon uses these instruments to manipulate, cut and sew tissue. A number of procedures can be performed laparoscopically, including gallbladder removal (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), oesophageal surgery (laparoscopic fundoplication), colon surgery (laparoscopic colectomy), and surgery on the stomach and spleen. Most patients receive general anaesthetic during the procedure.moreThe thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam’s apple, wrapped around the trachea (windpipe). It produces hormones which help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure,
body temperature and metabolism (the rate at which food is converted into energy). Thyroid disorders can include an overactive gland, called hyperthyroidism, or an underactive gland, called hypothyroidism. Both can result in an enlarged thyroid gland. Sometimes surgery is required to remove the thyroid gland. A thyroid nodule is a small swelling or lump in the thyroid gland. They are usually examined with imaging such as ultrasound or MRI, and a fine-needle aspiration biopsy, a relatively painless procedure to take tissue fluid samples from the nodule. Thyroid surgery may be required when: the biopsy indicates the nodule is cancerous; the nodules are getting bigger; or the trachea or oesophagus is compressed because the thyroid is very large. Thyroid surgery involves removing part or all of the thyroid gland, under general anaesthesia. Usually, the lobe of the thyroid gland containing the nodule lump is removed. An analysis of tissue will determine if the rest of the thyroid gland should be removed, during the same surgery. (Alternatively, surgery may be done at a later date.)moreA varicose vein is a swollen, twisted vein, usually near the skin surface in the leg. They can be unsightly and cause tired, heavy or painful limbs. In severe cases, the veins can rupture, or open
sores (varicose ulcers) can form on the skin. Women are most frequently affected, and other factors include a family history of varicose veins and advancing age. Sometimes, absence or weakness of valves in veins, which prevent the backward flow of blood away from the heart, may be a cause. In other cases, weaknesses in the vein walls cause blood to pool. Less commonly, varicose veins are due to diseases such as phlebitis (inflammation of the veins). Treatment is not always necessary for varicose veins, although severe cases, especially those involving ulcers, require treatment. Often, the varicose veins are removed to let blood flow through the remaining healthy veins. This can be done by surgery (vein stripping) or by a non-invasive procedure called sclerotherapy. In this procedure, saline (salt water) or a chemical solution is injected into the varicose vein. The vein will harden and then disappear.moreReflux surgery, also called fundoplication, is a technique to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD involves inflammation, pain (heartburn), and complications that result when acid
refluxes (regurgitates) from the stomach into the oesophagus. Normally, there is a barrier to acid reflux. One part of this barrier is the muscle of the oesophagus called the lower oesophageal sphincter, which closes off the oesophagus from the stomach most of the time. With GERD, the sphincter does not work as it should and allows acid from the stomach to go back up into the oesophagus. During fundoplication, the part of the stomach closest to the oesophagus is gathered, wrapped and sutured (stitched) around the lower end of the oesophagus and the lower oesophageal sphincter. This increases the pressure at the lower end of the oesophagus and so reduces acid reflux. Fundoplication may be done with a laparoscope, a flexible lighted tube with a camera attached, which is inserted through a small incision in the abdominal wall. Other small incisions allow instruments to be inserted. This is usually done under general anaesthetic. Laparoscopy usually means a shorter hospital stay.moreLaparoscopic colectomy is removal of a portion of the colon (large intestine) with minimally invasive ‘keyhole’ surgery and the aid of a camera. A small incision is made in the abdominal wall
near the navel, through which a laparoscope, a flexible lighted tube with a camera attached, is inserted to view the colon. The surgery is carried out with instruments inserted in other small cuts in the abdomen. The colon is extracted using another slightly larger incision. The remaining ends of the colon are reattached. Laparoscopic colectomy permits a shorter hospital stay and shorter recovery time with less pain. It is not suitable for all patients who need colon surgery.moreA hernia is a sac or pouch of tissue formed by the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity. The sac protrudes through a hole or weak area in the fascia, the strong layer of the abdominal wall
that surrounds the muscle. Hernias occur in different places: femoral hernia (upper thigh); hiatial hernia (upper part of stomach); incisional hernia (can occur through a scar if you have had abdominal surgery); inguinal hernia (groin); umbilical hernia (around the navel). Surgery under general anaesthetic is used to permanently fix a hernia. The weakened abdominal wall tissue (fascia) is secured and any holes are closed. An umbilical hernia that fails to heal on its own by the time a child is five years old may be repaired. Emergency surgery for hernias is sometimes needed. In addition to open surgery, some hernias can be repaired using a laparoscope (flexible lighted tube tipped with a camera), which is less invasive.more
