General Surgery

The General Surgery department based at Sandwell Hospital deals with conditions of the stomach, liver, kidneys, intestines and other vital organs in the abdomen (belly). There are 14 surgeons in the team, each with specialist knowledge and experience. Many of the procedures carried out by the team are day surgery cases.

Adults and children with abdominal problems are dealt with either through routine outpatient appointments, or if necessary by emergency procedure. The department offers a comprehensive service from initial assessment through to surgery, medication or counseling. We also operate a two-week fast-track system for any GP-referred patients with cancer symptoms.

The department also carries out breast surgery at Birmingham Treatment Centre.


Services

The general surgery team treats many abdominal conditions, and offers several clinics. The team also carries out endoscopy services (using a tiny video camera on a thin, flexible tube to see inside the body).

The team provides planned and acute surgical procedures in the following areas:

Colorectal Surgery

Colorectal surgery deals with conditions in the lower gastro-intestinal tract. This consists of the colon (large intestine) and the rectum (back passage). Surgeons deal with conditions that are benign (harmless lumps, piles, obstructions) or malignant (cancerous). Conditions treated also include fissures, fistulas, colitis, Crohn’s disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

Many of these conditions can be treated with keyhole surgery to avoid open surgery. Instead of creating a large opening during surgery, a much smaller incision is made. Surgeons use state-of-the-art instruments used to complete the procedure. Some procedures can be carried out under local anaesthetic (while patients are awake). Patients benefit from smaller scars, a quicker recovery and shorter stays in hospital.

Specialist clinics provided are:

  • Rectal clinics – for all rectal and colonic symptoms, and urgent referrals
  • Pelvic floor and functional bowel clinic – for disorders of the bowel and evacuation problems
  • Anal physiology clinic – problems with defecation
  • Stoma clinics – provided by a specialist nursing team for patients with colostomies

Upper GI Surgery

The upper gastro-intestinal tract includes the oesophagus (the food tube which links the throat to the stomach), the stomach itself, duodenum and pancreas. The team deals with benign (non-cancerous) disorders like ulcers, hyperacidity and anti-reflux surgery. Many of these conditions can be treated with keyhole surgery to avoid open surgery.

General Surgery

General surgery deals with conditions of the gall bladder, such as gallstones or complete removal, and stones in the bile duct. The team also treats various forms of hernia (a tear in the muscles of the belly) in either the groin or abdomen. Many of these conditions can be treated with keyhole surgery to avoid open surgery.

Emergency Surgery

The General Surgery team carries out acute surgical procedures for all conditions affecting the abdomen. The most common are conditions of the appendix, or ulcer perforations in the stomach or duodenum. The team also deals with emergency procedures for the gall bladder, along with perforation or obstruction of the colon or small intestine.

Lyndon 2 at Sandwell is a ward dedicated to such emergency procedures, with highly skilled and experienced nursing and support staff.

Paediatric Surgery

Children aged two to 16 who need surgery for hernias, undescended testes, circumcision, tongue tie division or minor skin lumps are seen and operated on at Sandwell Hospital and at the Birmingham Treatment Centre.

Vascular Surgery

The vascular surgery team assess and treat patients with problems with the vascular system, that is the arteries and veins.

The vascular surgery service has outpatient clinics at both Sandwell and City Hospitals and day case procedures at Sandwell Hospital. Any patient who requires major arterial interventions are managed at Heartlands Hospital in Birmingham but any clinic appointments are carried out as near to the patients home as possible.

Outpatient clinics and day surgery facilities are based at both Sandwell and City (in the Birmingham Treatment Centre). There are scanning facilities on both sites, including an interventional radiology suite operates on the City site. There are consultant clinics for arterial and venous conditions, as well as one-stop venous assessment clinics and specialist nurse-led clinics for claudication, abdominal aortic aneurysm follow up and leg ulcers on both sites.



Contacts

General Surgery consultants may be contacted via their secretaries by calling the switchboard on 0121 507 1831.

Vascular Surgery consultants can be contacted via the medical secretaries at City Hospital on 0121 507 4283 or 0121 507 4693 or at Sandwell Hospital on 0121 507 3133.

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