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Private Service

Associate Professor Jonathan Koea - Hepatobiliary and General Surgeon

Description

What is General Surgery?
General surgeons developed from barber surgeons who were tradesmen practitioners skilled in the use of procedures to treat conditions of the head, chest, abdomen, limbs and skin. However as surgery developed it proved impossible for single practitioners to deal with all conditions affecting the body. General surgery now deals with a wide range of conditions within the abdomen, breast, neck, skin and, very often, the vascular (blood vessel) system.
Ironically, as knowledge of conditions affecting the areas normally managed by the general surgeon has expanded, many general surgeons have subspecialised in a particular aspect of surgery and developed specific expertise.

 

While I have trained in general surgery in New Zealand, I have undertaken further study specialising in cancer surgery and particularly cancers of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts and other organs of the upper gastrointestinal tract (pancreas, stomach, intestine and spleen).

 
My specific area of clinical interest is in the investigation and management of tumours of the upper gastrointestinal tract. This includes surgical resection or ablation of tumours of the liver, gallbladder, stomach, pancreas and bowel. I also have a significant interest in the management of neuroendocrine and carcinoid tumours of the gastrointestinal tract.
 

In addition to the Mercy Specialist Centre, I also hold regular clinics at the following locations (see right of page for contact details):

  • Apollo Centre for Health & Wellness, Albany
  • Kowhai Surgery, Warkworth

Referral Expectations

Most patients are referred by their general practitioners or other specialists.

When you come to your appointment, I will ask questions about your illness and examine you to try to determine or confirm the diagnosis. This process may also require a number of tests (e.g. blood tests, x-rays, scans etc). Often you may have already had investigations such as CT scans and if you are able to bring these with you it will be of great help. In addition, copies of any medical records or test reports can also be of assistance. Sometimes this can all be done during one visit, but for some conditions this will take several follow-up appointments. Occasionally some tests are arranged even before your appointment to try to speed up the process.

Once a diagnosis has been made, I will discuss treatment with you. In some instances this will mean surgery, while other cases can be managed with medication or other non-surgical interventions. If surgery is advised, I will outline the risks, benefits and alternatives and go through the steps involved in the surgical process with you.

Common Conditions / Procedures / Treatments

  • Gallstones and Cancers of the Liver, Gallbladder and Bile Ducts

    Gallbladder The most common disorder of the gallbladder is pain caused by gallstones and their complications such as cholecystitis. Gallstones are formed if the gallbladder is not working properly and cause symptoms by preventing the gallbladder from functioning normally or by causing obstruction to the flow of bile. The standard… More

  • Cancers of the Stomach, Pancreas & Bowel (Adenocarcinoma, Neuroendocrine and Carcinoid Tumours)

    Other conditions of the gastrointestinal tract dealt with by general surgery include disorders of the oesophagus, stomach, small bowel, large bowel and anus.… More

  • Skin Cancers (Moles, Lumps and Tumours)

    Skin conditions dealt with by general surgery include lumps, tumours and other lesions of the skin and underlying tissues.… More

  • Hernias

    A hernia exists where part of the abdominal wall is weakened and the contents of the abdomen push through to the outside.… More

  • Laparoscopic Surgery

    Historically, surgery of the abdomen and gastrointestinal tract has been carried out through incisions in the abdominal wall.… More

Consultants

Associate Professor Jonathan Koea
Hepatobiliary and General Surgeon

Refreshments

A cafeteria is available on the Mercy Hospital site immediately adjacent to the Cancer Centre and behind the Specialist Centre. The cafeteria has inside and outside seating and serves great coffee.

Travel Directions

The Mercy Specialist Centre can be accessed from the northern motorway by taking the Gillies Avenue exit, taking the first right turn into Gillies Avenue, first left into Seccombes Road, third left into Mountain Road and then entering Mercy Hospital Gate 3. A parking building is immediately adjacent to the entrance and the Mercy Specialist Centre is immediately behind the parking building. Please use Entrance C to the Specialist Centre.

The Mercy Specialist Centre can be accessed from the southern motorway by taking the Khyber Pass exit, right at the traffic lights into Khyber Pass Road and then take the second turn on the right into Mountain Road. Enter Mercy Hospital Gate 3. A parking building is immediately adjacent to the entrance and the Mercy Specialist Centre is immediately behind the parking building. Please use Entrance C to the Specialist Centre.

Parking

Parking is available at Mercy Hospital in the hospital grounds and in a two level car park building that can be accessed through Entrance 3 from Mountain Road.

Accommodation

Accommodation for patients and families can be arranged at a number of hotels close to Mercy Hospital.

Domain Lodge
Auckland Division of the Cancer Society
1 Boyle Cres
Grafton
Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: 64 9 308 0160
Fax: 64 9 308 0173
email:
 
Alpers Lodge
16 Alpers Avenue
Newmarket
Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: 64 9 523 3367 (freephone 0800 160 880)
Fax: 64 9 520 3809
email:

 

Boulevard Hotel
15 Alpers Ave
Newmarket
Auckland, New Zealand
Phone: 64 9 522 0160
Fax: 64 9 522 0975

Pharmacy

A pharmacy (phone 09 623 5703) is available on the Mercy Hospital site and can be accessed through the main entrance of the Mercy Hospital.

Other

Recent Publications

Koea JB. Gallblabber Cancer. Advances in Obstructive Jaundice: Diagnosis and Treatment. McMahon J; Filippou D; Skandalakis P. (eds). Pp 201-17, Paschalidis Medical Publications, Athens, Greece, 2006.

Koea JB; Karpeh MS. The role of diagnostic laparoscopy in the staging of gastric cancer. In Staging Laparoscopy. Pp 69-81. Hohenberger P; KC Conlon (eds). Springer, Berlin & New York 2002.

Koea JB; Fong Y. Primary liver tumors. Chapter 3 in American Cancer Society Atlas of Clinical Oncology. Steele GD; Phillips TL; Chabner B. (eds). BC Decker Inc, Hamilton, Ontario, 2000.

Koea JB; Fong Y. Benign hepatic lesions – surgical management. Chapter 4B in Crucial Controversies in Surgery. Schein M; Wise L. (eds). Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, vol 4, 2000.

Koea JB. Non-colorectal liver metastases: patient evaluation, selection and results. Handbook of Hepatobiliary Surgery. Chamberlain R; Blumgart LH (eds). Landes Bioscience, United States of America 2000.

Koea JB; Blumgart LH. Cholangiocarcinoma. The Practice of General Surgery. Bland KI (ed). WB Saunders, United States of America 2001. Pp 697-709.

Jarnagin W; Koea JB; Klimstra D. Carcinoma of the biliary tree. Staging systems, techniques and pathology. Principles and Practice of Gastrointestinal Oncology. Kelson D; Tepper ; Levin ; Kern; Daly J. (eds). Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia 2000.

Koea JB; Blumgart LH. Gallbladder Cancer. Cirurgia do Cancer Hepatobiliar. Correia MM; Riello de Mello EL; Santos CER (eds). Revinter Publishing, Rio de Janeiro, 2003.

Original Investigations

Koea JB; Smith D. Solitary necrotic nodule revisited. ANZ J Surg 2007; Accepted for publication.

Bartlett AS; McCall JL; Koea JB; Holden A; Yeong ML; Gurisinghe N; Gane E. Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in New Zealand. World J Surg 2007; 31:1775-81.

Leung U; Wong P; Roberts R; Koea J. Gallbladder polyps in sclerosing cholangitis: Does the 1 cm rule apply. ANZ J Surg 2007;77:355-57.

Jarnagin WR; Browne W; Klimstra DS; Ben-Porat L; Roggin K; Cymes K; Fong Y; DeMatteo RP; D'Angelica M; Koea J; Blumgart LH. Papillary phenotype confers improved survival after resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Ann Surg 2005; 241(5): 703-14.

Hsee LC; McCall JL; Koea JB. Focal nodular hyperplasia: What are the indications for resection. HPB 2005; 7: 298-302.

Aldameh A; McCall JL; Koea JB. Is routine placement of surgical drains necessary after hepatectomy? Results from a single institution. J Gastrointestinal Surgery 2005; 9: 667-671.

Koea JB; Gane E; McCall JL. Laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma: A Caution. ANZ J Surg 2005; 75: 86.

Koea JB. Getting started as a hepatobiliary surgeon: Lessons learned from the first 100 hepatectomies as a consultant. NZ Med J 2005; 118: 1210-1215.

Koea J; Findlay M; Ramsdorp R; MacCormack M. Adeno-endocrine cancer of the gallbladder. ANZ J Surg 2004; 74; 808-809.

Koea J; Rodgers M; Thompson P; Woodfield; Holden; McCall J. The value of laparoscopy in the management of colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver: Synchronous versus metachronous disease. ANZ J Surg 2004; 74: 1056-1059.

Ronald M; Woodfield J; McCall J; Koea J. Hepatic adenomata in male patients. HPB 2004; 6 (1): 25-27.

Woodfield J; Koea J. Ruptured hepatic adenoma. Medical Journal 2003; 116 (1174).

Tickoo SK; Zee SY; Obiekwe S; Xaio HB; Koea J; Robiou C; Blumgart LH; Jarnagin W; Ladanyi M; Klimstra DS. Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma: A histologic, immunohistochemical, and in situ hybridization study. Am J Surg Pathol 2002; 26: 989-997.

Koea J; Holden A; McCall J. The differential diagnosis of stenosing lesions at the hepatic hilus. World J Surg 2004; 28(5): 466-70.

Koea J; Taylor G; Miller M; Rodgers M; McCall J. Solitary necrotic nodule of the liver: A riddle that is difficult to answer. J Gastrointestinal Surg 2003; 7(5): 627-630.

Rodgers MS; Windsor JA; Koea JB; McCall JL. Laparoscopic staging of upper gastrointestinal malignancy. ANZ J Surg 2003; 73: 806-810.

Koea JB; Broadhurst GW; Rodgers MS; McCall JL. Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver: Demographics, diagnosis and the case for non-operative management. J Am Coll Surg 2003; 196: 226-235.

Choy PY; Koea JB; McCall JL; Holden A; Osbourne M. The role of radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of primary & secondary tumours of the liver: Initial lessons learned. NZ Med J 2002; 115; 1-7.

Locations Information

Choose one of the locations above for address and contact information.

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