Michael East came to New Zealand from the United Kingdom in 1980 as a house surgeon and in 1983 started working as a registrar at Christchurch Women’s Hospital. He undertook specialist training in Christchurch and the UK, including a Masters degree in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Liverpool University.
Michael is known for his dedication and passion for his work. His areas of specialisation include advanced laparoscopic techniques for endometriosis, robotic surgery and hysterectomy. Since 2020, Michael has increasingly used the Da Vinci Robotic system for minimally invasive operations.
In 1996 Michael was a founding member of Oxford Women's Health, Christchurch (then known as Oxford Clinic). He splits his consulting and surgical time between Christchurch and Auckland. He welcomes new patient referrals.
Michael has been at the forefront of developing and introducing new advanced laparoscopic techniques in New Zealand and has been involved in surgical instrument design to help perform laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH).
Michael is married to Jane and together they have four adult children. He enjoys sailing, reading and road cycling.
What is Gynaecology?
Gynaecology is the area of medicine that deals with health issues and conditions that are specific to women. This generally includes the female reproductive organs and genitalia. The reproductive organs consist of the ovaries that release an egg every month, the fallopian tubes that lead from the ovaries, the uterus (womb), which is where a baby will grow if the egg is fertilised during sexual intercourse, the cervix (opening of the uterus) and the vagina.
Laparoscopy
Many gynaecological investigations are performed by laparoscopy. This is a procedure to view the inside of the abdomen (stomach) through a specially lit type of mini telescope (laparoscope) that is inserted through a small cut in the abdomen. The laparoscope also contains a small camera that sends pictures to a screen that the doctor can watch.
Sometimes surgical procedures (keyhole surgery) can be performed at the same time. A laparoscopy is performed under a general anaesthetic (you are asleep).
