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Republic of Ireland Offices
Ivowen Commercial Centre
Kilsheelan, Clonmel
Co. Tipperary E91 XR62
United Kingdom Offices
167-169 Great Portland Street
London W1W 5PF
info@dhi-care.com
UK+44 207 117 2603
IE+353 89 426 5861
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DHI provide top-tier general surgery with a personal touch, through our partner hospitals in Belgium. Highly skilled surgeons and dedicated staff take pride in extending a warm welcome.
Rooms typically have 2 beds, fostering a sense of companionship and support. Single rooms though available, may lead to patients experiencing feelings of isolation.
Hygiene standards are impeccable, floors and surfaces are kept spotless; as a result, hospital-acquired infections are exceedingly rare. This exceptional achievement is attributed to our rigorous protocol, which includes testing patients upon arrival and departure - innovations by DHI that are now foundational practices in hospitals worldwide.
Another innovative approach, subsequently adopted in multiple countries, and pioneered by DHI, is to offer accommodation options for companions either within the hospital, nearby, or sometimes with hotels attached to the hospital.
This is all part of DHI's mission to enhance care for patients and their families.
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This medical procedure allows doctors to examine the inside of the large intestine (colon and rectum). Using a colonoscope, a long, flexible, lighted tube, they can see inflamed tissue, abnormal growths, ulcers, and early signs of cancer. It's also used to investigate unexplained changes in bowel habits and symptoms like abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and weight loss. This procedure is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment of colon issues without needing surgery.
The colon, or large bowel, is the final part of the digestive tract. It's about 5 feet long and primarily functions to store unabsorbed food waste, absorb water and other fluids, and eliminate waste as stool.
Preparation is key for a successful colonoscopy. The colon must be completely empty, which involves a 1 to 3-day liquid diet and possibly taking a laxative the night before. It's essential to inform the doctor about any medical conditions or regular medications, including blood thinners, heart medications, and diabetes medications.
During the colonoscopy, you'll lie on your left side and receive pain medication and a sedative to ensure comfort and relaxation. The doctor inserts the colonoscope into the rectum, guiding it through the colon while monitoring the video screen for abnormalities. Air is blown into the colon for a clearer view. The procedure typically takes 30 to 60 minutes, and most patients don't remember it afterwards.
Doctors can remove polyps (growths in the bowel lining) during the procedure, which are then sent for lab testing since they can potentially turn into cancer. They can also take tissue samples (biopsies) for further testing and treat any bleeding within the colon.
Post-procedure, you might experience mild cramping or a sensation of gas, but this usually subsides within an hour. If a biopsy was done or polyps were removed, certain medications like blood-thinners might be paused temporarily. Recovery is typically quick, with normal activities resuming the next day.
Piles, also known as haemorrhoids, are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum that can cause discomfort, bleeding, and sometimes pain. A haemorrhoidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove these piles.
Before the surgery, certain steps are recommended for candidates:
A pre-operative consultation with the surgeon is essential the day before surgery, including various tests to ensure the candidate's readiness and safety for the operation.
The Haemorrhoidectomy Procedure - Performed under general anaesthesia, the procedure involves stretching the ring muscle at the anus and trimming off the piles.
Commonly known as acid reflux or heartburn, is a condition where stomach contents, including acid, back up into the oesophagus - the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach. This backflow irritates and inflames the oesophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest or upper abdomen, and can lead to symptoms like difficulty swallowing, chronic cough, sour taste, bad breath, vomiting, wheezing, tooth enamel erosion, and potentially more serious complications like oesophageal narrowing, ulcers, Barrett’s oesophagus, and even oesophageal cancer.
Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux - Treatment for gastroesophageal reflux includes lifestyle changes, medication, and possibly surgery:
This surgical procedure strengthens the valve between the stomach and oesophagus to prevent acid reflux.
It involves wrapping the top part of the stomach (the fundus) around the lower end of the oesophagus.
This reinforces the lower oesophageal sphincter, the muscle ring that prevents stomach contents from moving upward.
The procedure is especially beneficial if a hiatal hernia is present, where part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest.
Performed laparoscopically, this surgery involves making small incisions, resulting in minimal pain and quick recovery. Most patients can return to work within two weeks. However, in about 2% of cases, surgeons may need to switch to an open surgical method.
Surgical Considerations and Recovery - Not everyone with heartburn is a candidate for Nissen fundoplication. Surgeons carefully evaluate each case to determine the best approach. The typical process involves initial consultations, surgery, and post-operative checks, with the surgery performed under general anaesthesia.
After surgery, patients may experience pain from the incisions, but they can usually return home within a few days and resume normal activities, including work, within a week. Full recovery, including resuming fitness activities, may take a few weeks, and the surgical scars typically become barely visible after a few months.
This is a surgical procedure to remove part or all of the sigmoid colon, typically to treat malignant tumours. The sigmoid colon is an S-shaped section of the large intestine located just above the rectum.
When is Sigmoidectomy Required? This surgery might be necessary in several situations:
Diverticulitis - If you have diverticulitis, an inflammation of small pouches (diverticula) that can form in the walls of the gastrointestinal tract, especially if there's associated bleeding and infection.
Ruptured Diverticula - If these pouches rupture, it can cause peritonitis, an inflammation of the abdominal cavity's lining.
Cancerous or Precancerous Growths - If there are polyps in the sigmoid colon that are cancerous or have the potential to become cancerous, surgery may be recommended.
Determining the Need for Surgery – The decision to proceed with a Sigmoidectomy is based on a comprehensive medical evaluation which includes:
The Surgical Procedure - Sigmoidectomy involves several key steps:
After surgery, you'll need time to recover, and your healthcare team will monitor you closely for any complications. The recovery process and post-operative care will depend on the extent of the surgery and your overall health.
Surgical removal of the tonsils, two glandular tissues at the back of the throat. Tonsils play a role in fighting infections but can become problematic if they are frequently inflamed, leading to tonsillitis. Indications for tonsillectomy include recurrent tonsillitis, chronic infections unresponsive to antibiotics, breathing difficulties, and throat abscesses. A physical examination, including assessing bleeding tendencies and active inflammation, is performed before surgery.
The tonsils are removed under general anaesthesia using various techniques like scalpel, scissors, laser, or electrocautery. Post-operatively, patients have a sore throat, are monitored for bleeding, and initially avoid food and liquids. They may return home in a day or two but should avoid smoking, vigorous exercise, crowded places, and certain foods. Pain relief is managed with specific medications, avoiding aspirin and ibuprofen to reduce bleeding risk.
This is a medical condition where an organ protrudes through a weak spot in the surrounding muscles or tissues. Specifically, an abdominal hernia occurs when an organ pushes through a tear in the abdominal wall, which is made up of muscle, fat, and tissue extending from the lower ribs to the top of the thighs. This results in a bulge that can be either reducible, meaning it can be pushed back into the abdomen, or non-reducible, where it remains protruding. Abdominal hernias are surgically repaired to prevent complications like strangulation, where the trapped organ's blood supply is cut off, leading to severe pain, digestive blockage, and possibly gangrene. This condition requires emergency surgery. Anyone can develop a hernia, from new-borns to the elderly. Risk factors include a chronic cough, obesity, pregnancy, heavy lifting, and persistent sneezing. Types of abdominal hernias vary based on their location: Inguinal (in the groin), Epigastric (upper-middle abdomen), Umbilical (navel), Femoral (between abdomen and thigh), and Incisional (at previous surgery sites).
Hernias typically present as a bulge, with symptoms like pain that worsens during physical activities. Treatment involves laparoscopic hernia repair surgery, a minimally invasive procedure with small incisions, leading to quicker recovery. Post-surgery, patients may need to stay in the hospital for evaluation and then rest at home.
General anaesthesia is commonly used for surgery, and post-operative care includes pain management and gradual return to normal activities. The repaired area is usually reinforced with a synthetic mesh to prevent recurrence. Post-surgery, patients should avoid strenuous activities for several weeks.
To prevent hernia recurrence, maintaining a healthy weight, strengthening abdominal muscles, addressing chronic health issues, eating a high-fibre diet, and avoiding heavy lifting are recommended.
If post-surgery complications like fever, difficulty urinating, excessive bleeding, or severe pain occur, immediate medical attention is necessary.
This is the surgical removal of the appendix, a small organ attached to the large intestine. This surgery is typically performed under general anaesthesia using a minimally invasive technique known as laparoscopy. It involves making three small incisions in the abdomen, through which surgical tools and a camera are inserted to remove the appendix. Patients usually need to stay in the hospital for a few days after the surgery. It's important to inform the surgeon about any allergies to anaesthesia or medications. The small incisions from laparoscopic surgery heal with minimal scarring, which fades over time.
Involves the removal of abnormal attachments between abdominal organs. Adhesions can cause organs to stick together, leading to chronic pain and organ dysfunction. This procedure is also performed under general anaesthesia using laparoscopic techniques, requiring a few days of hospitalization.
Risks are minimal, but it's crucial to inform the surgeon of any allergies. Post-surgery, small incisions leave minimal scarring. Patients should contact their doctor if they experience fever, worsening pain, swelling, or redness at the incision site after returning home. Recovery time depends on the severity of the adhesions.
Benefits of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy - This type of surgery offers several advantages:
Reasons for Gallbladder Removal - The gallbladder may need to be removed due to:
However, surgery cannot proceed if there's active inflammation, until it recedes.
Who May Not Be Suitable for Laparoscopic Surgery - Laparoscopic cholecystectomy might not be suitable for patients with prior abdominal surgeries, excessive bleeding tendency, or other conditions that complicate the visibility of the gallbladder, like obesity. In such cases, open surgery may be recommended.
Possible Complications - Though rare, complications can include bleeding, infection, injury to the bile duct, and potential injury to the intestines or blood vessels during instrument insertion.
Open Gallbladder Surgery - In open cholecystectomy, the surgeon removes the gallbladder through a larger incision, typically under general anaesthesia. This traditional method requires a longer hospital stay (about 7 days) and has a longer recovery period. Open surgery may be necessary in cases of severe inflammation, obesity, late-stage pregnancy, bleeding disorders, extensive scar tissue, or abnormal abdominal anatomy.
Post-Surgery Expectations - Regardless of the method, patients usually stay in the hospital for a few days. Recovery time for open surgery is longer, with more post-operative pain compared to laparoscopic surgery. Normal activities can generally resume within 4 to 6 weeks.
Effectiveness of Gallbladder Removal - Post-removal, bile flows directly from the liver to the small intestine. The absence of the gallbladder typically doesn't affect digestion significantly. The procedure significantly reduces the risk of future gallstone formation. However, it's rare but possible for gallstones to form in the bile ducts years after surgery.
This is a common condition where the prostate gland grows larger as men age. Located below the bladder, the prostate is doughnut-shaped and surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine and semen pass. The prostate produces semen and helps in urine flow. After puberty, it grows gradually and often enlarges again after age 50, commonly due to BPH. Other causes include prostatitis (inflammation) and prostate cancer. This enlargement may relate to hormonal changes in aging.
Untreated, BPH can lead to complications like urinary tract infections, bladder stones, urinary retention, and potentially renal failure. It's more common in men over 46, with most over 55 experiencing some symptoms..
Procedure - TURP is a common surgery for BPH. It involves inserting a resectoscope (a thin instrument with a light, camera, and loop for cutting tissue) through the penis into the urethra. The surgeon then trims away excess prostate tissue blocking urine flow.
Recovery - Post-surgery, a catheter is usually required for a few days. Patients might experience pain during urination for a short period.
Side Effects - Common side effects include retrograde ejaculation (semen entering the bladder instead of exiting the penis) and temporary or sometimes permanent erection problems. Urinary incontinence is a less common side effect.
Efficacy - TURP effectively relieves symptoms for most men, especially those with larger prostates.
Procedure - This surgery involves the complete removal of the prostate gland; primarily performed for prostate cancer. It's a more extensive procedure and can be done via open surgery or laparoscopically.
Recovery - Hospital stay and recovery time are longer than TURP. Patients might require a urinary catheter for a period post-surgery.
Side Effects - Erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence are significant risks due to the proximity of the prostate to nerves controlling these functions.
Efficacy - It's highly effective in treating localized prostate cancer but less so if cancer has spread outside the prostate.
Procedure - HIFU uses concentrated ultrasound waves to heat and destroy targeted prostate tissue. This method is less invasive and can be an option for localized prostate cancer.
Recovery - Recovery is generally quicker than surgical options, with less pain and fewer complications.
Side Effects - Reduced risk of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction compared to more invasive surgeries.
Efficacy - Effective in early-stage prostate cancer, but long-term effectiveness data is still being collected.
Procedure - This involves using a laser to vaporize or cut away prostate tissue. Techniques include photo selective vaporization (PVP) and holmium laser enucleation (HoLEP).
Recovery - Recovery is typically faster than traditional surgery, with a shorter hospital stay.
Side Effects - Scarring is a potential risk. There are also risks of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction, though generally lower than with TURP or radical prostatectomy.
Efficacy - Suitable for BPH treatment but not typically used for prostate cancer due to limitations in removing cancerous tissue and the risk of leaving behind cancer cells.
Acute Prostatitis – Characterized by sudden bacterial infection, causing fever, pain, and urinary difficulties. Treatment usually involves antibiotics, pain relievers, and sometimes catheterization for urinary retention.
Chronic Prostatitis - This long-term condition can be bacterial or non-bacterial. Symptoms are less severe but more persistent, including pelvic pain and urinary problems. Treatment might involve long-term antibiotics, alpha-blockers, or even surgery in severe cases.
Am I Suitable For Surgery?
Prior to booking we will require you to complete a detailed Medical History Questionnaire (MHQ). This will give the Consultant Surgeon an indication as to whether you are a suitable candidate for surgery. Specifically you will learn which surgery is planned, the expected outcome and recovery time. Risks associated with this surgery. During the consultation with the Surgeon you will be able to ask further questions and discuss any concerns.
Is it dangerous to ignore a hernia?
Yes, ignoring a hernia is risky as it can enlarge and lead to complications like strangulation, which cuts off the blood supply to the herniated area, necessitating emergency surgery.
What is a strangulated hernia?
A strangulated hernia happens when the blood supply to the herniated tissue is cut off, causing severe pain and requiring immediate surgical intervention.
What if my appendix bursts?
A ruptured appendix can cause peritonitis, an inflammation of the abdominal cavity's lining, spreading infection and requiring emergency surgery to remove the appendix and clean the abdominal cavity, alongside antibiotics.
Why do I have cough, fever, and ear pain after tonsillectomy?
These symptoms can be normal post-recovery signs or indicate an infection. Throat irritation or postnasal drip can cause coughing, and the shared nerves between throat and ears can result in referred ear pain. Fever may signal an infection. It’s crucial to monitor these symptoms and consult your surgeon, especially if they persist or the fever is high.
Is the colonoscopy test uncomfortable?
While colonoscopy can be uncomfortable, sedatives and pain relievers are usually administered to minimize discomfort. The sedation often leaves patients relaxed and with little memory of the procedure, although some may experience mild cramping or gas sensation afterwards. The preparatory bowel cleansing can be unpleasant for many.
What is the downside of having the gallbladder removed?
Post-gallbladder removal, most adapt well without it, though some may experience digestion changes, like more frequent bowel movements or diarrhoea after consuming fatty foods, due to direct bile flow into the intestines.
What are the most common complications of haemorrhoidectomy?
Haemorrhoidectomy complications include pain, bleeding, urinary retention, and infection. Pain is common due to the surgery’s sensitive area, while bleeding typically stops on its own or can be controlled. Urinary retention is a temporary issue, and infections are treatable with antibiotics.
How quickly will symptoms of my enlarged prostate worsen without surgery?
The progression of enlarged prostate symptoms varies widely. Some may see a gradual worsening, while others stabilize or improve with medical therapy. Factors include prostate size, age, health, and lifestyle, with untreated symptoms potentially leading to serious conditions like acute urinary retention or kidney damage.
What are the side effects of different prostate surgeries?