Our Treatments

Interventional Procedures

Sportsman's Groin

Sportsman’s groin is a condition recognised as a cause of persistent groin pain without a clinically detectable hernia. The pain of this injury is located deep in the groin area and the discomfort may become severe making it impossible to stride out properly during running or turning quickly. If physiotherapy fails, the treatment is by surgical repair to the posterior inguinal wall canal, sometimes using mesh, and the results are highly satisfactory.

Inguinal Hernias

Inguinal hernias are groin swellings found most commonly in males and may be found at any age. They are due to defects in the musculature of the abdominal wall which allow protrusion of intra-abdominal contents, usually the intestines. The majority of these hernias require surgical repair to alleviate symptoms and to prevent strangulation of the intestines. Trusses should only be seen as a temporary measure whilst awaiting surgical repair. The most common form of repair is to insert an artificial mesh in the defect, often under local anaesthetic. General anaesthetic may be used but may be precluded by a patients' pre-existing cardio-respiratory problems. Mr Woodward has a special interest and extensive experience of repairing hernias under local anaesthesia, particularly in elderly unfit patients.

Femoral Hernias

Femoral hernias occur slightly lower down in the groin than inguinal hernias, usually in females. These should all be surgically repaired due to the risk of intestinal strangulation.

Paraumbilical Hernias

Paraumbilical hernias are adjacent to the navel and are acquired in adulthood. Umbilical hernias are swellings coming through the navel and are present from birth. Paraumbilical and umbilical hernias- Many of these require no treatment but surgery may  be indicated  if there is increasing size or pain.

Incisional Hernias

Incisional hernias are defects arising in a previous abdominal wound. Many of these hernias may not require surgical correction but all patients should be assessed to determine the individual merits of surgery. Many of these hernias can be treated by a keyhole approach which ensures a shorter hospital stay and quicker return to normal activity. A sheet of nylon mesh is used to reinforce the abdominal wall whether the repair is an open technique or a keyhole approach. Hiatus hernia is very common and is due to the stomach sliding up into the chest through the muscular sheet known as the diaphragm. This may be associated with heartburn due to acid reflux. Patients with severe heartburn who are dependent on or unresponsive to medication should be considered for 'keyhole' surgical correction of their hiatus hernia. This can be performed with a one night stay in hospital and quick return to normal activities.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for gallstones. This involves removing the gallbladder through the abdominal wall and requires usually only three small incisions. The procedure is often performed with only a one night stay in hospital and some patients may be discharged the same day as the surgery. Return to normal activity is within 2 to 3weeks.

Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids (or piles) are large veins in the anal canal which cause bleeding, itching and swelling. Although use of ointment s may help symptoms of haemorrhoids, many patients require other treatments to  shrink or remove the haemorrhoids. Small haemorrhoids may be treated in the outpatients by injection treatment or by placing elastic bands on them. Larger haemorrhoids require surgical treatment such as removal (haemorrhoidectomy) or fixing the veins back up inside the anal canal (stapled haemorrhoidopexy). Haemorrhoidopexy is a treatment which is not widely available but is less painful than haemorrhoidectomy and is offered by Mr Woodward who has a large experience of this relatively new treatment.