Non-Cancer Surgery

An inguinal hernia is a bulge in the upper groin caused by tissue pushing through a weak point in the lower abdominal wall. It is the most common type of hernia and is repaired with open or keyhole surgery, usually as day surgery.

An umbilical hernia is a bulge at or around the bellybutton caused by tissue pushing through a weak point in the abdominal wall. In adults it is repaired with a short operation, usually as day surgery.

A femoral hernia appears as a lump in the lower groin, just below the crease and towards the inner thigh. Because it has a higher risk of becoming trapped than other hernias, repair is usually recommended soon after diagnosis.

An incisional hernia develops at the site of a previous operation, where the abdominal wall has weakened along the scar. Repair usually involves placing a mesh to reinforce the weakened area, using open or keyhole techniques depending on the size and position of the hernia.

A lipoma is a common, non-cancerous lump made of fatty tissue that grows slowly just beneath the skin. Most need no treatment, but lipomas that are enlarging, uncomfortable or a cosmetic concern can be removed with a short day-surgery operation.

The gallbladder is a small pouch beneath the liver that stores bile to help digest fats. When gallstones cause pain or complications, the gallbladder is removed by laparoscopic (keyhole) cholecystectomy, a common operation with a short recovery.

Circumcision is the removal of the foreskin, the sleeve of skin covering the head of the penis. It may be recommended for medical reasons or requested by families for cultural or religious reasons, and is performed as a short day procedure.

An inguinal hernia is a lump in the groin caused by a small opening that did not close before birth, allowing tissue from the abdomen to push through. Because hernias in children do not close on their own, a short day surgery repair is recommended.

A hydrocoele is a painless collection of fluid around the testis that makes the scrotum look swollen. Many resolve on their own in babies, and those that persist can be corrected with a simple day surgery procedure.

An undescended testis is one that has not moved down into the scrotum by the time a boy is born or in the months afterwards. A short day surgery operation called an orchidopexy brings the testis down and secures it in its normal position.

An umbilical hernia is a soft bulge at the bellybutton caused by a small gap in the abdominal muscles that has not yet closed. Most close naturally in early childhood, and repair is usually only considered from around three to five years of age if the hernia persists.

A supraumbilical hernia is a small bulge in the midline just above the bellybutton, caused by a gap between the abdominal muscles. Unlike a true umbilical hernia it does not close on its own, so a simple day surgery repair is usually recommended.

A pilomatrixoma is a harmless, slow-growing lump that forms just under the skin from cells of a hair follicle, most often on the face, neck or arms. It does not go away on its own and is removed with a small day surgery procedure.

An ingrown toenail occurs when the edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain, redness and sometimes infection. When simple measures have not helped, a short procedure to remove the ingrowing edge and prevent regrowth is very effective.

Tongue tie is a condition where the band of tissue under the tongue is short or tight, limiting the tongue's movement. When it affects feeding or speech, a simple procedure to release the band can help.

Pre-auricular sinuses and skin tags are small openings or nubs of skin just in front of the ear that are present from birth. Tags are removed for cosmetic reasons, while sinuses are removed because they can become repeatedly infected.

A peri-orbital dermoid cyst is a smooth, painless lump near the outer edge of the eyebrow that has been present since birth and slowly enlarges. It is harmless but does not go away, so it is removed with a small day surgery procedure through a well-hidden incision.

Dermoid cysts are harmless lumps present from birth that can appear on the scalp, face, neck or elsewhere along the midline of the body. Because they slowly enlarge and can become inflamed, they are removed with a small day surgery procedure.

A branchial cyst is a smooth lump on the side of the neck that arises from tissue left over from the way the neck forms before birth. Because it does not resolve and can become infected, it is removed with an operation under general anaesthetic.