'laparoscopic cholecystectomy'

Umbilical hernia surgery is a small, quick operation to push the bulge back into place and to strengthen the abdominal wall. In most cases, the person receiving surgery will be able to go home on the same day. Surgery involves making an incision at the base of the belly button and pushing either the fatty lump or bowel back into the abdomen. In open surgery, our surgeon will open the site and repair the hernia by using mesh and stitching the muscle together. In laparoscopic surgery or keyhole, surgery, mesh and sutures will be passed through small incisions. Muscle layers are stitched over the weak area in the abdomen wall, fortifying it. Dissolvable stitches or special glue are used to close the wound. The surgeon will sometimes apply a pressure dressing on the hernia, which remains in place for 4 to 5 days. An umbilical hernia operation usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes.

If you have an anal fissure that hasn’t healed with self-help measures and medical treatments, we may suggest you a procedure to treat it. An anal fissure is a small tear or ulcer (open sore) in your skin around the opening of your anus. There are several different types of procedures available, including injections with botulinum toxin, removal of the fissure (excision or fissurectomy) and sphincterotomy. We may suggest you have a procedure called a fissurectomy alongside Botox injections. This involves cutting away the damaged skin from around your anal fissure, along with any ‘sentinel’ skin tags (lumps of skin associated with the fissure).

Appendicitis means inflammation of the appendix. When the appendix is inflamed it causes pain and makes you feel unwell. What are the benefits of surgery? You will no longer get appendicitis. Surgery should prevent you from having serious complications that appendicitis can cause. Are there any alternatives to surgery? Antibiotics can be used to treat inflammation or an abscess, but only if you are well enough. If an abscess continues or if you become unwell even with antibiotics, you will need an operation. What does the operation involve? An appendicectomy is usually performed under a spinal anaesthetic. The operation usually takes between half an hour and an hour. We will remove the appendix either by using the laparoscopic (keyhole) technique or by an open cut in the abdomen.

A hydrocele is a sac of fluid that forms around a testicle. It occurs when fluid builds up in the layer of tissue that covers the testicle. It may be caused by an infection or by injury to the testicle. But the cause is often not known. A large hydrocele can cause pain or swelling in the scrotum. Hydrocelectomy is surgery to remove the hydrocele. The procedure takes about 30 minutes. You will likely go home on the same day.