Colonoscopy

Click here to view a patient information sheet for CTC.

Gallstones

Conditions of the gut dealt with by general surgery include disorders of the oesophagus, stomach, small bowel, large bowel and anus. These range from complex conditions such as ulceration or cancer in the bowel through to fairly minor conditions such as haemorrhoids. Many of the more major conditions such as bowel cancer will require surgery, or sometimes treatment with medication, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Haemorrhoids are a condition where the veins under the lining of the anus are congested and enlarged. Less severe haemorrhoids can be managed with simple treatments such as injection or banding which can be performed in the clinic while larger ones will require surgery. For information about colonoscopy, please see below.

Hernias

Skin conditions dealt with by general surgery include lumps, tumours and other lesions of the skin and underlying tissues. These are often fairly simple conditions that can be dealt with by performing minor operations under local anaesthetic (the area of skin being treated is numbed). Often these procedures are performed as outpatient or day case procedures.

Abnormalities of the endocrine system treated by general surgery include disorders of the pancreas and adrenal glands in the abdomen and the thyroid and parathyroid glands in the neck. These are often very complex conditions requiring extensive investigations. If surgery is required it is often quite complicated and will usually mean a stay in hospital for several days or even longer.

Vascular (blood vessel) disorders treated by general surgery include varicose veins, blockages and narrowings in the arteries or abnormal swellings of the arteries (aneurysm). The most common of these conditions facing the general surgeon is varicose veins. This occurs when veins in the legs and thighs become enlarged and twisted. This is often caused by the failure of the one-way valve system in the veins, in which case it can be treated surgically by removing the segments of veins containing the malfunctioning valves as well as those veins which are significantly dilated. Treatment of varicose veins now also includes the option of injection therapy. The General Surgery team does not currently have the capacity to see patients with varicose veins other than those with ulcers caused by the varicose veins or skin changes to suggest ulcers are beginning to form. Apppointments cannot be offered to those with no symptoms where the concern is related to how they look, or for those with aching or swelling of the legs.

Plastic surgery covers a wide range of different surgical procedures that repair, reconstruct or replace structures in many different parts of the body including the skin, face and head, hands, breast and stomach. Plastic surgery does not involve the use of plastic materials. Plastic surgery can generally be divided into two main types: Reconstructive surgery: is performed on abnormal parts of the body that have been affected by a birth defect, an accident or disease. This includes cleft lip and palate repair, scar revision, reconstruction following burns. This surgery is usually performed to improve function, but may also be performed to bring the appearance of a part of the body as close as possible to normal. Aesthetic or cosmetic surgery: improves appearance or body image by reshaping features of the face or body e.g. breast enlargement or reduction, face lift, liposuction.