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Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital - General Surgery

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    Located in Queenstown, Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital provides patients in the Central Lakes region with greater access to quality elective surgery closer to home. 

    Southern Cross Central Lakes Hospital, is a joint venture partnership between Central Lakes Trust and Southern Cross Healthcare, whose shared purpose is to support the health and wellbeing of communities in the region.

    The facility began operating in early 2022, and includes 3 operating theatres and 13 inpatient beds, each with its own ensuite facilities.

    Hospital services are available to both privately and publicly funded patients to support broader access to healthcare in the region. Accident and emergency services are not offered, however the hospital will be providing planned surgery for patients who are eligible for access through ACC. 

    General Surgery
    General surgery is often performed to alleviate suffering when a cure is unlikely through medication alone. This type of surgery is increasingly being carried out by minimally invasive techniques that offer patients less pain, better outcomes and shorter post-operative recovery.

    Given the wide range of work undertaken by general surgeons, one of distinguishing features is the range of sub-specialties that lie within it. These procedures include:

    • Breast reconstruction
    • Colorectal
    • Hernia
    • Gallbladder removal
    • Skin lesions
    • Varicose veins

    Practitioners

    • Mr Mark Smith

      Mr Mark Smith

      General & Bariatric Surgeon, Endoscopist
    • Mr Paul Samson

      Mr Paul Samson

      General Surgeon
    • Professor Konrad Richter

      Professor Konrad Richter

      General Surgeon
    • Mr Michael Landmann

      Mr Michael Landmann

      Breast Consultant Surgeon
    • Dr Richard Perry

      Dr Richard Perry

      General Surgeon
    • Dr Ian Bradford

      Dr Ian Bradford

      General Surgeon
    Procedures

    Breast Biopsy

    Open Excisional: a small incision (cut) is made as close as possible to the lump and the lump, together with a surrounding margin of tissue, is removed for examination. If the lump is large, only a portion of it may be removed.   Fine Needle Aspiration and Core Needle Biopsy: both these procedures involve inserting a needle through your skin into the breast lump and removing a sample of tissue for examination.

    Breast Reconstruction

    A silicone sack filled with either silicone gel or saline (salt water) is inserted underneath your chest muscle and skin. Before being inserted, the skin will sometimes need to be stretched to the required breast size. This is done by placing an empty bag where the implant will finally go, and gradually filling it with saline over weeks or months. The bag is then replaced by the implant in another operation.

    Cholecystectomy

    Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in the abdomen (stomach) and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. This allows the surgeon a view of the gallbladder and, by inserting small surgical instruments through the other cuts, the gallbladder can be removed.   Open: an abdominal incision is made and the gallbladder removed.

    Haemorrhoid Removal

    Haemorrhoidectomy: each haemorrhoid or pile is tied off and then cut away.   Stapled Haemorrhoidectomy: a circular stapling device is used to pull the haemorrhoid tissue back into its normal position.

    Hernia Repair

    Hiatus Hernia Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in the abdomen (stomach) and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. Small instruments are inserted through the other cuts, allowing the surgeon to push the hernia (part of the stomach and lower oesophagus that is bulging into the chest) back into position in the abdominal cavity. The hiatus (opening) in the diaphragm (a sheet of muscle between the chest and stomach) is tightened and the stomach is stitched into place.   Open: an abdominal incision is made over the hernia and the hernia is pushed back into position in the abdominal cavity. The hiatus (opening in the diaphragm) is tightened and the stomach is stitched into place.   Fundoplication: during the above procedures, the top part of the stomach (fundus) may be secured in position by wrapping it around the oesophagus.   Inguinal Hernia Laparoscopic: several small incisions are made in the abdomen and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. Small instruments are inserted through the other cuts, allowing the surgeon to push the hernia (part of the intestine that is bulging through the abdominal wall) back into its original position. The weakness in the abdominal wall is repaired.   Open: an abdominal incision is made and the hernia is pushed back into position. The weakness in the abdominal wall is repaired.   Umbilical Hernia An incision is made underneath the navel (tummy button) and the hernia (part of the intestine that is bulging through the abdominal wall) is pushed back into the abdominal cavity. The weakness in the abdominal wall is repaired.   Incisional Hernia Laparoscopic: several small incisions are made in the abdomen and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. Small instruments are inserted through the other cuts, allowing the surgeon to push the hernia (part of the intestine that is bulging through the abdominal wall) back into its original position.   Open: an abdominal incision is made and the hernia is pushed back into position.

    Mastectomy

    Simple or Total: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple are surgically removed but the muscles lying under the breast and the lymph nodes are left in place.   Modified Radical: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple as well as some lymph tissue are surgically removed.   Partial: the breast lump and a portion of other breast tissue (up to one quarter of the breast) as well as lymph tissue are surgically removed.   Lumpectomy: the breast lump and surrounding tissue, as well as some lymph tissue, are surgically removed. When combined with radiation treatment, this is known as breast-conserving surgery.

    Skin Biopsy

    Shave Biopsy: the top layers of skin in the area being investigated are shaved off with a scalpel (surgical knife) for investigation under a microscope.   Punch Biopsy: a small cylindrical core of tissue is taken from the area being investigated for examination under a microscope.   Excision Biopsy: all of the lesion or area being investigated is cut out with a scalpel for examination under a microscope.   Incision Biopsy: part of the lesion is cut out with a scalpel for examination under a microscope.

    Skin Lesion Excision

    Skin lesions such as cysts and tumours are removed by cutting around and under them with a scalpel.

    Varicose Veins

    Sclerotherapy: a tiny needle is used to inject a chemical solution into the vein that causes the vein to collapse. This approach is recommended for small varicose veins only.

    Vein stripping: the varicose veins are cut out and the veins that branch off them are tied off. The cuts (incisions) made in the skin are closed with sutures.

    Phlebectomy: small cuts (incisions) are made in the leg and the varicose veins are pulled out with a tiny hook-like instrument. The cuts are closed with tape rather than sutures and, once healed, are almost invisible.