General Surgery | Meet the Best General Surgeons in Penang

General surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on diagnosing, managing, and treating conditions affecting the abdominal organs from the intestines to the esophagus, stomach, small bowel, colon, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts, and thyroid. Though surgeons may sub-specialise in one or more of these areas using various methods such as minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and vascular surgery, they are still considered part of the general surgical team. These specialist surgeons are experts in treating ailments and diseases in the major body systems, including cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, excretory, skin, muscular, nervous, respiratory and skeletal functions. 

What is a General Surgeon?

General surgeon is a medical doctor trained to diagnose, manage, and perform surgical procedures for a wide range of conditions. They provide comprehensive patient care before, during, and after surgery, often leading a multidisciplinary team.

Comprehensive Surgery Procedures We Offer

Hepatobiliary Surgery

Our general surgeons in Penang specialise in hepatobiliary surgery, a key part of the surgery that effectively treats liver and bile duct tumours. This form of surgery also helps with the treatment of symptoms, which may include:

• Removal of gallstones or the entire gallbladder
• Removal of tumours such as hemangioma and focal nodular hyperplasia
• Treatment and/or removal of fluid-filled cysts in the liver, which may cause pain and weight loss
• Treatment of pancreatic cancer

Breast Surgery

Our general surgeons at Gleneagles Hospital Penang provide expert breast surgery services, including lumpectomy, mastectomy, and reconstructive procedures. We use minimally invasive techniques to ensure patient comfort and faster recovery.

• Lumpectomy: The removal of breast lumps as well as surrounding tissues while maintaining the natural appearance of the breast. This procedure is usually advised if an early biopsy shows early stages of breast cancer with small tumors or even for the removal of non-malignant abnormalities.
• Mastectomy: The complete removal of the entire breast(s), especially for those afflicted with multiple or large areas of ductal carcinoma. This procedure may also be recommended to remove the possibility of breast cancer occurrence.
• Breast augmentation: Breast augmentation is performed to enhance the appearance of a woman's breast via implants over or under the pectoralis chest muscles.
• Breast reduction: Breast reduction surgery reduces the volume and contour while preserving breast sensation and function. This includes the removal of excess skin, fat and glandular tissue which may benefit those afflicted by neck and back pains and skin irritations.
• Breast reconstruction: Breast reconstruction surgery recreates breasts with a desired appearance, volume, and contour via implants using the patient's tissue. Although nipples can be recreated, normal breast function, sensation, and breast feeding abilities are lost due to the removal or injury of milk glands and ducts.

Head and Neck Surgery

Head and neck surgery concerns the diagnosis, management, and treatment of diseases located in the head and neck. From benign to malignant tumors that may require surgery, our dedicated, highly-trained, and multidisciplinary team of general surgeons comprising radiation and medical oncologists will evaluate, manage, and treat your condition in a careful and holistic manner.

Our specialists are experts in managing and treating conditions concerning these areas:

• Mouth and tongue
• Throat
• Sinuses
• Skin of the head and neck
• Thyroid and parathyroid

Some common surgeries include:

• Tonsillectomy - surgical removal of one or both tonsils to manage and/or treat tonsillitis
• Endoscopic sinal surgery
• Examination of sinal openings for obstructions and/or unusual growths, which are then removed
• Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty - the removal of excess tissue from the back of the throat, helping with sleep apnoea

Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery

Upper gastrointestinal surgery is mainly recommended to diagnose and/or treat patients via laser therapy, laparoscopic surgery, endoscopy, and thoracic surgery, depending on the patient’s needs. It is commonly used for:

• Esophageal diseases - including reflux oesophagitis, esophageal obstructions, hiatal hernia, and esophageal cancer
• Hepatobiliary (liver) diseases - affecting the biliary tract and liver, jaundice, pancreatitis, and cholelithiasis
• Gastroduodenal diseases - such as acid reflux, gastric and/or duodenal ulcers, and gastric cancer

Some other common upper gastrointestinal surgeries may include:

• Nissen fundoplication - the reinforcement of the lower esophageal sphincter to treat those with gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD)
• Roux en-Y - gastric bypass to reduce stomach size, limiting the volume of food intake, often for weight management
• Whipple Procedure - or pancreaticoduodenectomy, it is a surgical procedure used to help those with pancreatic cancer

Vascular Surgery

Common vascular surgery procedures include:

• Angioplasty/stenting - a minimally invasive procedure where a balloon or stent is inserted to widen narrowed arteries and improve blood flow
• Endovenous laser treatment - a laser-based therapy that targets and removes varicose veins via ultrasound, killing vein walls with laser energy to improve vascular health

Gastrointestinal Surgery

Gastrointestinal surgery helps treat patients suffering from surgical gastrointestinal tract diseases. This surgery covers upper gastrointestinal surgery as well as colorectal (lower) surgery, addressing a wide range of digestive disorders.

Colon & Rectal Surgery (Colorectal Surgery)

Colorectal surgery focuses on diagnosing and treating patients with bowel conditions and associated conditions such as colorectal cancers, ulcerative colitis, diverticular disease, Crohn's disease as well as a wide range of benign anorectal conditions including haemorrhoids and anal fissures.

Common colorectal surgical procedures include:

• Appendectomy - surgical removal of the appendix to treat appendicitis
• Haemorrhoidectomy - removal of distended veins in the lower parts of the rectum and/or anus using laser treatment, stapling or rubber banding
• Partial colectomy - the excision of parts of the colon to treat colon cancer and long-term ulcerative colitis

Advanced Surgical Facilities at Gleneagles Hospital Penang

Here at Gleneagles Hospital Penang, our general surgeons are committed to delivering safe, high-quality surgical care using advanced technologies and minimally invasive techniques. Our goal is to ensure that the most effective surgical methods are used to put you on the fast track to recovery and rehabilitation. Our advanced technologies aim to diagnose and treat each patient's individual conditions for the best possible outcome while ensuring that any side effects and recovery time are minimised.

We believe that each patient is unique, with specific expectations and requirements. Our team of dedicated and experienced surgeons ensure this via a planned discussion and guided counsel through the most crucial areas of treatment.