OPENING HOURS

Weekdays 9am - 5pm

TEL 9744 9955 FAX 9740 6722

EMAIL Admin@GoonawarraDayHospital.com.au

GASTROENTEROLOGY:

Gastroscopy: Gastroscopy is an examination of the upper digestive tract (the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum) using an endoscope — a long, thin, flexible tube containing a camera and a light — to view the lining of these organs.

Colonoscopy; A colonoscopy is an examination of the lower digestive tract or colon, using a colonoscope — a long, thin, flexible tube containing a camera and a light — to view the lining of the bowel. A colonoscope is a type of endoscope.

EYES:

Cataract surgery: In cataract surgery, the lens inside your eye that has become cloudy is removed and replaced with an artificial lens (called an intraocular lens, or IOL) to restore clear vision.

GYNAECOLOGICAL PROCEDURES:

Hysteroscopy + Endometrial biopsy: An endometrial biopsy is a way for your doctor to take a small sample of the lining of the uterus (endometrium). The sample is looked at under a microscope for abnormal cells. An endometrial biopsy helps your doctor find problems in the endometrium. It also lets your doctor check to see if your body's hormone levels that affect the endometrium are in balance.

Hysteroscopy + Endometrial polypectomy: Hysteroscopic polypectomy is a surgical approach of removal of uterine polyps preserving the uterus. Uterine polyps are kind of non cancerous overgrowth of cells of the inner wall of the uterus that extend into the uterine cavity. These uterine polyps develop in the lining of the uterus (endometrium).

Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone (LLETZ): LLETZ stands for large loop excision of the transformation zone. This procedure will remove a small segment of the cervix (the lower part of your womb or uterus). This is performed for the diagnosis and treatment of pre-cancerous cells of the cervix.

Cauterisation (diathermy) of the cervix: Cervical cauterization is a procedure that is used to destroy abnormal (noncancerous or precancerous) cells on the opening to the womb (cervix). Cauterization is carried out through the use of heat, electricity, cold, corrosive chemicals, or laser. The most common methods involve high frequency electric current (electrocoagulation) or freezing (cryocauterization,cryosurgery).

Removal of cervical polyp: A polyp is a growth of tissue from either the outside of the cervix (neck of the womb) or inside the cervical canal (the passageway between the vagina and the womb). Polyps are usually benign (not cancerous) and can be removed quite easily. Cervical polyps are removed with an instrument called polyp forceps. This instrument is used to grasp the base of the polyp and the polyp is removed with a gentle twisting motion.

Excision of vulval/vaginal warts: Genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmissible infections (STIs). They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are over 100 strains of HPV, but only some affect the genitals and not all cause visible warts. Genital warts can appear around the genitals and anus or, sometimes, inside the vagina, rectum or urethra. Treatment for genital warts depends on the type of warts you have and where they are located. You do not need treatment if there are no visible warts. Your doctor will advice the best treatment for you.

Marsupialisation of Bartholin's cyst: The two Bartholin's glands lie next to the entrance to the vagina. They make a small amount of mucus-like fluid. A fluid-filled swelling (a cyst) sometimes develops from a blocked duct that drains the fluid from a Bartholin's gland. Sometimes a gland gets infected, which may then develop into a collection of pus (an abscess). Antibiotic medicines may cure an infection or abscess. A small operation is a common treatment for a Bartholin's cyst or abscess. It is done under local anaesthetic when the overlying skin is numbed with an injection of local anaesthetic. A small cut (incision) is made into the cyst or abscess just inside the entrance to the vagina. Any fluid or pus drains out. The cut is widened to about 1 cm. A few stitches are then used to stitch the inside lining of the cyst to the overlying skin. This then creates a small new permanent opening for fluid to drain out of the gland.

GENERAL DAY SURGERY:

Minor plastic skin cancer surgery: The 3 main types of skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma. BCC is by far the most common type of skin cancer. Fortunately, it's also the least dangerous, grow slowly, and rarely spreads beyond its original site. SCC is faster growing than BCC. It frequently appears on the head, neck, hands and forearms, which typically receive more sunlight. SCC is more dangerous than BCC because it can spread to other parts of the body if not treated promptly. Although melanoma is usually highly malignant, it occurs in only about 5 people out of 100 with skin cancer. Melanoma can usually be treated successfully if diagnosed early.

If you have a skin cancer, a biopsy may be needed for diagnosis. This is a quick and simple procedure usually done under local anaesthesia. For a known BCC or SCC, the lesion is usually cut out and sent to a pathology lab for examination under a microscope. If examination shows that all the cancer cells have probably been removed, you may not need further treatment. For a suspected melanoma, the surgeon may remove all or part of the lesion. It is then sent to a laboratory so a pathologist can examine it under a microscope. Depending on the pathologist's report, a wider excision (that is, taking more skin more deeply) may be recommended. In which case, a skin graft or a skin flap may be required to repair a large area of skin. If the cancer is large or if it has spread to the lymph glands or elsewhere in the body, major surgery may be required.