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Dr Sandamela
Qualifications
- MBChB 2002 University of Pretoria
- LMCC Canada
- M Med Surgery 2015 University of Pretoria
- FCS (SA)2015 College of Surgeons of SouthAfrica
Patient Info Library
Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows the surgeon to view the inner lining of the colon and rectum, using a thin, flexible tube (a colonoscope). The tip of the colonoscope has a light and camera that transmits images onto a screen in the procedure room to show any inflammation, ulcers and any other growths being cancerous/non-cancerous within the intestines.
The Surgeon will prescribe a bowel prep for you to start taking a day prior to the procedure to clear the colon, thus making it easier to see any abnormalities. This procedure can be a day procedure, in the consultation rooms or in theatre.
Haemorrhoid Surgery
A Haemorrhoid is a vein around the rectum and anus that becomes swollen, enlarged and sometimes painful when put under pressure, e.g in constipation. When inflamed, a haemorrhoid may appear internally (inside the rectum/anus) or externally, with some large internal haemorrhoids prolapsing externally through the anus. Most patients will come complaining of rectal bleeding
Often they are diagnosed after rectal exam but in some cases, additional screening measures such as a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy will be used to rule out other more serious causes of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Haemorrhoid surgery is only necessary about 5% of patients. When conservative treatment measures fail, the surgeon may recommend minimally invasive surgery or internal haemorrhoid band ligation to cut off blood supply, shrink, and destroy the haemorrhoid tissue.
Breast Surgery
Self-breast examination is vital and any abnormalities picked-up must be discussed with the doctor as they could be a sign of cancer or a non-cancerous pathology.In terms of a diagnosed breast cancer, patients with early stage breast cancer often have the choice between a lumpectomy and a mastectomy.
A lumpectomy is a procedure where only the lump and small surrounding tissue is removed from the breast, leaving much of the breast intact. The operation is done in theatre under general anaesthesia. Sometimes, a lumpectomy is used to confirm or rule out a cancer diagnosis. When cancer is confirmed, additional treatments, such as radiation, may be necessary to prevent cancer recurrence.
A mastectomy is a procedure in which the whole breast and sometimes the surrounding lymph nodes and chest muscle are removed. This procedure is performed under general anaesthesia and can take up to 2 or 3 hours. Because this is a more invasive surgery than a lumpectomy, mastectomy patients typically stay in the hospital for a few days to recover and remain under medical observation.
Laparoscopic
Cholecystectomy
The gallbladder is a small organ that stores a substance called bile. Bile helps to digest food. At times the gallbladder can begin to malfunction then causing the development of small crystallizations known as gallstones.
Gallstones are incredibly painful and more often than not a person who suffers from gallstones will need surgery to remove the gallbladder and prevent re-occurrences. The procedure entails removing these gallbladder in a minimal invasive manner with only small cuts made on the abdomen. However if complicated this procedure can be converted to an open one.
