Hernia Surgery

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The term hernia means any protrusion of abdominal contents through a weakened area in a person’s abdominal wall. Hernias can occur in many locations around the body. The most common kinds of hernia occur in the groin, with 27% of men and 3% of women developing one in their lifetime. Many hernias are asymptomatic, and […]

Gallstones

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The gallbladder is an organ that sits below the liver. Its function is to store excess bile that is produced by the liver. Bile helps to break down fats in the intestines. When we eat, the gallbladder contracts to squeeze bile into the small intestine. About 10% – 15% of Australian adults have gallstones. They […]

Skin Cancers Australia

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Queensland is the sunshine capital of Australia. We are exposed to high levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and this predisposes us to developing various types of skin cancers. Like all cancers, skin cancers result from uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. There are many different types, some of which require additional surgical treatments which cannot be […]

Portacath Insertion

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What is a Portacath? A Portacath, or “port” as it is commonly referred, is a device that sits under the skin to give improved access to veins. The port sits under the skin on the chest wall and is attached to a catheter (tube) which is guided into the large veins in the chest. A […]

Bowel Obstruction Information

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Dr Lancashire also manages acute intestinal obstructions. A partial or complete blockage of the intestine prevents the passage of food, fluids, and gas through the gastrointestinal tract. You can think of the gastrointestinal tract as a single tube from the mouth to the anus – if there is a blockage anywhere along that tube, the […]

Appendicitis

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The appendix is small worm-like structure that is attached to the right side of the large bowel. The function of the appendix is unclear – in some animals it has a role in digestion. Regardless, humans can live without an appendix without any apparent consequences. Appendicitis is very common. One in fifteen people (nearly 7%) […]

Diverticulitis

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Diverticula are small pouches that bulge out from the intestinal wall at weak points between the muscles. Diverticular disease simply means that a person has multiple diverticula in their gastrointestinal tract. Diverticula are mostly seen in the lower parts of the large bowel (colon). They are extremely common, with 50% of people over 60 years […]

Pancreatitis

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Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas sits in the upper part of the abdomen behind the stomach. It produces hormones insulin and glucagon to control blood sugar levels, and digestive enzymes that break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. The main duct in the pancreas joins the duct that drains bile from the liver […]

Abscesses

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An abscess is a collection of purulent material (‘pus’) due to an infection. They occur for many different reasons: Infected hair follicles Infected sebaceous cyst Infection at a cut, wound or surgical site Infection at the top of the natal cleft (bottom) (pilonidal abscess) Infection of glands around the anus (perianal abscess) Abscesses have a […]

Lymph node biopsy

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What are lymph nodes? Lymph nodes are small, jellybean-shaped structures that can be found all over the body. They contain the special immune cells and work to help fight and remove infection. Fluid (called ‘lymph’), filters through the lymph nodes before eventually passing back into bloodstream. Sometimes, tiny cells from cancers can spread and travel […]