MELISSA TEO SURGERY &
THE SURGICAL ONCOLOGY CLINIC
GENERAL SURGERY
At Melissa Teo Surgery and The Surgical Oncology Clinic, our doctors have experience in the treatment and investigation of diseases involving the
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Digestive or gastrointestinal tract (Oesophagus, Stomach, Small intestine, Appendix, Colon, Rectum, Anus)
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Liver and Gallbladder (infections, gallstones)'
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Port-a-Cath Insertion
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Pancreas and spleen
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Complex wounds
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Stoma care and surgical drain or tube care
As part of the investigation for abdominal pain, an OGD (also known as gastroscopy) is often needed. This procedure allows our doctors to check the inside of upper digestive tract for conditions that can cause swallowing difficulties, pain, bleeding, loss of weight and loss of appetite. More information about a gastroscopy can be found here.
A colonoscopy allows our doctors to check the inside of your large intestine and rectum. This procedure is indicated for investigation of abdominal pain, change in bowel habits (diarrhoea, constipation), bleeding, loss of weight and loss of appetite. Patients who are at increased risk for colorectal cancer should also undergo this investigation. You can read more about having a colonoscopy here.
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Laparoscopic surgery is a specialized method of performing abdominal surgery. In standard abdominal operations, a midline incision is used, whereas laparoscopic surgery is performed through keyhole incisions on the abdomen.
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These keyhole incisions allow for surgery to be performed with the aid of a camera telescope, together with long and delicate instruments.
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When appropriately chosen, laparoscopic surgery is as safe as traditional surgery. The benefits include less pain, a shorter stay in hospital, a faster recovery and return to normal activities, and smaller scars.
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Conditions suitable for Laparoscopic Surgery include non cancer conditions like gallbladder disease and gallstones, appendiceal disease and appendicitis, and hernia repair. Laparoscopic surgery is also suitable for early stage cancer conditions like colorectal cancer.
It is not uncommon to discover a skin lump, which is a new growth on or below your skin. It can be worrying, but not every bump or lump should cause concern. The good news is that the majority of these lumps are harmless and not a cause for worry. Some common growths on the skin include moles, warts and infections, while growths just under the skin can be due to cysts, lipomas and lymph nodes. It is important to determine if these lumps are safe or dangerous.
At Melissa Teo Surgery and The Surgical Oncology Clinic, our doctors will be able to evaluate and advise you on what you need to do about the growth.
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A hernia occurs when an organ or soft tissue squeezes through a weak point in the nearby muscle. The most common types of hernia are inguinal (groin region), incisional (resulting from an old wound), femoral (groin region) and umbilical (belly button). You may discover that you have a hernia when you notice a soft bulge under your skin. Depending on where the bulge on your body is, our doctors will be able to diagnose the type of hernia. Some hernias can only be seen when you stand up and may become smaller when you lie down. Others may only be visible when you strain your muscles by coughing or lifting things.
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Hernias are not usually dangerous but can cause pain and result in complications. Complications from your hernia usually occurs when an organ, such as your intestine, squeezes through the weak point in your abdominal wall muscle and becomes trapped. In such a situation, you may require urgent medical attention. It is safer to seek medical attention before such a complication occurs, so that our doctors can treat and advise how to avoid such complications.
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Treatment of hernia typically involves surgery. Hernia repair surgery is a low-risk surgical procedure which can help relieve pain and prevent complications. It can be performed by open surgery or by keyhole surgery.
Gallbladder disease is common, and often results in discomfort associated with meals. These include gallstones, polyps and infections. Gallstones are a frequent cause of problems, and can cause pain, frequent burping and infections. It is not always necessary to remove the gallbladder or stones, but when symptomatic the removal of the gallbladder can provide much relief and improvement of symptoms. Surgery to removal the gallbladder and gallstones is routinely performed by our doctors via keyhole technique.
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A port-a-cath is a medical device implanted under the skin of the upper chest. The disc-shaped port is attached to a thin tubing that threads into a large vein. The port allows frequent infusion of drugs (for example, chemotherapy) and blood taking. It also prevents inflammation of the veins (phlebitis) which may occur from frequent intra-venous punctures and is easy to maintain.
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It may stay as long as the doctor determines that you need it, and it can be easily removed once treatment has been completed and it is no longer required
Insertion of port-a-cath is a short procedure that can be comfortably performed for patients under sedation and local anaesthesia or general anaesthesia.
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Here at Melissa Teo Surgery and The Surgical Oncology Clinic, we frequently perform port-a-cath insertions and provide after-surgery care.