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Southern Cross Brightside Hospital - General Surgery

Private Surgical Service, General Surgery

This is where you will come to have your surgery performed. The visits to your surgeon before and after surgery will be at their consulting rooms.

Description

Southern Cross' Brightside Hospital is a modern private surgical hospital located in central Auckland.

Brightside Hospital was originally established on its Auckland site, in Epsom, in the 1940s and was completely rebuilt to modern, high tech specifications and re-opened in 2000.

Brightside offers a wide range of surgical services and postoperative care to around 4,500 patients each year. This four-theatre hospital provides 43 inpatient beds and 6 day stay chairs and has a staff of nearly 100.

With an established reputation for gynaecological, orthopaedic and urological services, Brightside was also the first private hospital in New Zealand to offer prostate brachytherapy, a new type of treatment for prostate cancer.  This specialist service employs advanced techniques and technologies for prostate implants, and the medical specialists operating at the hospital have helped Brightside to be involved in leading the way in urological treatment in New Zealand in some respects. 

Plastic surgery, oral surgery and general surgery are also amongst the surgical services offered at Brightside Hospital.

Recent developments include the introduction of an Intermediate Care Facility (ICF), opened in 2012 and providing a specialised postoperative ward for patients with medical conditions or surgical issues that require an enhanced level of monitoring and care.  The four-bed ward caters for patients who unexpectedly require some extra post-surgical care, or those with medical issues - such as heart or blood pressure conditions - that may have the potential to cause complications during or after surgery.

Consultants

Procedures / Treatments

Appendicectomy

Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in the lower abdomen (stomach) and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) in inserted. This allows the surgeon a view of the appendix and, by inserting small surgical instruments through the other cuts, the appendix can be removed. Open: an incision is made in the lower right abdomen and the appendix removed.

Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in the lower abdomen (stomach) and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) in inserted. This allows the surgeon a view of the appendix and, by inserting small surgical instruments through the other cuts, the appendix can be removed.
 
Open: an incision is made in the lower right abdomen and the appendix removed.
Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric or weight loss surgery refers to a number of different procedures that can be performed to treat obesity. Procedures fall into three main types: Malabsorptive - these procedures involve bypassing a section of the small intestine thus reducing the amount of food absorbed into the body. Restrictive - these procedures involve reducing the size of the stomach, usually by creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach which limits the amount of food that can be eaten. Malabsorptive/Restrictive Combination - these procedures combine both techniques e.g. gastric bypass surgery in which a small stomach pouch is formed and its outlet connected to part of the small intestine.

Bariatric or weight loss surgery refers to a number of different procedures that can be performed to treat obesity. Procedures fall into three main types:

Malabsorptive - these procedures involve bypassing a section of the small intestine thus reducing the amount of food absorbed into the body.

Restrictive - these procedures involve reducing the size of the stomach, usually by creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach which limits the amount of food that can be eaten.

Malabsorptive/Restrictive Combination - these procedures combine both techniques e.g. gastric bypass surgery in which a small stomach pouch is formed and its outlet connected to part of the small intestine.

Breast Biopsy

Open Excisional: a small incision (cut) is made as close as possible to the lump and the lump, together with a surrounding margin of tissue, is removed for examination. If the lump is large, only a portion of it may be removed. Fine Needle Aspiration and Core Needle Biopsy: both these procedures involve inserting a needle through your skin into the breast lump and removing a sample of tissue for examination.

Open Excisional: a small incision (cut) is made as close as possible to the lump and the lump, together with a surrounding margin of tissue, is removed for examination. If the lump is large, only a portion of it may be removed.
 
Fine Needle Aspiration and Core Needle Biopsy: both these procedures involve inserting a needle through your skin into the breast lump and removing a sample of tissue for examination.
Breast Reconstruction

This can involve a breast implant or a muscle flap. With an implant a silicone sack filled with either silicone gel or saline (salt water) is inserted underneath your chest muscle and skin. Before being inserted, the skin will sometimes need to be stretched to the required breast size. This is done by placing an empty bag where the implant will finally go, and gradually filling it with saline over weeks or months. The bag is then replaced by the implant in another operation. The muscle flap technique involves using a flap of your own muscle (eg the latissimus dorsi muscle that runs under your arm) that is rotated into the space where the breast used to be. A nipple reconstruction is usually undertaken at a later date.

This can involve a breast implant or a muscle flap.
 
With an implant a silicone sack filled with either silicone gel or saline (salt water) is inserted underneath your chest muscle and skin. Before being inserted, the skin will sometimes need to be stretched to the required breast size. This is done by placing an empty bag where the implant will finally go, and gradually filling it with saline over weeks or months. The bag is then replaced by the implant in another operation.
 
The muscle flap technique involves using a flap of your own muscle (eg the latissimus dorsi muscle that runs under your arm) that is rotated into the space where the breast used to be.  A nipple reconstruction is usually undertaken at a later date.
Cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in the abdomen (stomach) and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. This allows the surgeon a view of the gallbladder and, by inserting small surgical instruments through the other cuts, the gallbladder can be removed. Open: an abdominal incision is made and the gallbladder removed.

Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in the abdomen (stomach) and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. This allows the surgeon a view of the gallbladder and, by inserting small surgical instruments through the other cuts, the gallbladder can be removed.
 
Open: an abdominal incision is made and the gallbladder removed.
Colectomy

Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in the abdomen and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. This allows the surgeon a view of the colon and, by inserting small surgical instruments through the other cuts, part or all of the colon can be removed. Open: an abdominal incision is made and part or all of the colon is removed.

Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in the abdomen and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. This allows the surgeon a view of the colon and, by inserting small surgical instruments through the other cuts, part or all of the colon can be removed.
 
Open: an abdominal incision is made and part or all of the colon is removed.
Colostomy

An opening is made in the skin of the abdomen (stomach) to allow drainage of stools (faeces) from the colon into a collection bag on the outside. This may be temporary to allow time for healing of the colon or, if the entire colon has been removed, it may be permanent.

An opening is made in the skin of the abdomen (stomach) to allow drainage of stools (faeces) from the colon into a collection bag on the outside. This may be temporary to allow time for healing of the colon or, if the entire colon has been removed, it may be permanent.
Haemorrhoid Removal

Haemorrhoidectomy: each haemorrhoid or pile is tied off and then cut away. Stapled Haemorrhoidectomy: a circular stapling device is used to pull the haemorrhoid tissue back into its normal position.

Haemorrhoidectomy: each haemorrhoid or pile is tied off and then cut away.
 
Stapled Haemorrhoidectomy: a circular stapling device is used to pull the haemorrhoid tissue back into its normal position.
Hernia Repair

Hiatus Hernia Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in the abdomen (stomach) and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. Small instruments are inserted through the other cuts, allowing the surgeon to push the hernia (part of the stomach and lower oesophagus that is bulging into the chest) back into position in the abdominal cavity. The hiatus (opening) in the diaphragm (a sheet of muscle between the chest and stomach) is tightened and the stomach is stitched into place. Open: an abdominal incision is made over the hernia and the hernia is pushed back into position in the abdominal cavity. The hiatus (opening in the diaphragm) is tightened and the stomach is stitched into place. Fundoplication: during the above procedures, the top part of the stomach (fundus) may be secured in position by wrapping it around the oesophagus. Inguinal Hernia Laparoscopic: several small incisions are made in the abdomen and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. Small instruments are inserted through the other cuts, allowing the surgeon to push the hernia (part of the intestine that is bulging through the abdominal wall) back into its original position. The weakness in the abdominal wall is repaired. Open: an abdominal incision is made and the hernia is pushed back into position. The weakness in the abdominal wall is repaired. Umbilical Hernia An incision is made underneath the navel (tummy button) and the hernia (part of the intestine that is bulging through the abdominal wall) is pushed back into the abdominal cavity. The weakness in the abdominal wall is repaired. Incisional Hernia Laparoscopic: several small incisions are made in the abdomen and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. Small instruments are inserted through the other cuts, allowing the surgeon to push the hernia (part of the intestine that is bulging through the abdominal wall) back into its original position. Open: an abdominal incision is made and the hernia is pushed back into position.

Hiatus Hernia
Laparoscopic: several small incisions (cuts) are made in the abdomen (stomach) and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. Small instruments are inserted through the other cuts, allowing the surgeon to push the hernia (part of the stomach and lower oesophagus that is bulging into the chest) back into position in the abdominal cavity. The hiatus (opening) in the diaphragm (a sheet of muscle between the chest and stomach) is tightened and the stomach is stitched into place.
 
Open: an abdominal incision is made over the hernia and the hernia is pushed back into position in the abdominal cavity. The hiatus (opening in the diaphragm) is tightened and the stomach is stitched into place.
 
Fundoplication: during the above procedures, the top part of the stomach (fundus) may be secured in position by wrapping it around the oesophagus.
 
Inguinal Hernia
Laparoscopic: several small incisions are made in the abdomen and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. Small instruments are inserted through the other cuts, allowing the surgeon to push the hernia (part of the intestine that is bulging through the abdominal wall) back into its original position. The weakness in the abdominal wall is repaired.
 
Open: an abdominal incision is made and the hernia is pushed back into position. The weakness in the abdominal wall is repaired.
 
Umbilical Hernia
An incision is made underneath the navel (tummy button) and the hernia (part of the intestine that is bulging through the abdominal wall) is pushed back into the abdominal cavity. The weakness in the abdominal wall is repaired.
 
Incisional Hernia
Laparoscopic: several small incisions are made in the abdomen and a narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (laparoscope) is inserted. Small instruments are inserted through the other cuts, allowing the surgeon to push the hernia (part of the intestine that is bulging through the abdominal wall) back into its original position.
 
Open: an abdominal incision is made and the hernia is pushed back into position.
Mastectomy

Simple or Total: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple are surgically removed but the muscles lying under the breast and the lymph nodes are left in place. Modified Radical: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple as well as some lymph tissue are surgically removed. Partial: the breast lump and a portion of other breast tissue (up to one quarter of the breast) as well as lymph tissue are surgically removed. Lumpectomy: the breast lump and surrounding tissue, as well as some lymph tissue, are surgically removed. When combined with radiation treatment, this is known as breast-conserving surgery.

Simple or Total: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple are surgically removed but the muscles lying under the breast and the lymph nodes are left in place.
 
Modified Radical: all breast tissue, skin and the nipple as well as some lymph tissue are surgically removed.
 
Partial: the breast lump and a portion of other breast tissue (up to one quarter of the breast) as well as lymph tissue are surgically removed.
 
Lumpectomy: the breast lump and surrounding tissue, as well as some lymph tissue, are surgically removed. When combined with radiation treatment, this is known as breast-conserving surgery.
Parathyroidectomy

An incision (cut) is made in the front of and at the base of the neck and one or more of the parathyroid glands are removed.

An incision (cut) is made in the front of and at the base of the neck and one or more of the parathyroid glands are removed.
Parotidectomy

An incision (cut) is made in front of the ear and runs down below the jaw line. Part or all of the parotid gland is removed.

An incision (cut) is made in front of the ear and runs down below the jaw line. Part or all of the parotid gland is removed.
Rectal Resection

An abdominal incision (cut) is made and part or all of the rectum removed.

An abdominal incision (cut) is made and part or all of the rectum removed.
Sigmoidoscopy

A long, narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (sigmoidoscope) is inserted into your anus and moved through your lower large intestine (bowel). This allows the surgeon a view of the lining of the lower large intestine (sigmoid colon). If necessary, a biopsy (small piece of tissue) may be taken for examination in the laboratory.

A long, narrow tube with a tiny camera attached (sigmoidoscope) is inserted into your anus and moved through your lower large intestine (bowel). This allows the surgeon a view of the lining of the lower large intestine (sigmoid colon). If necessary, a biopsy (small piece of tissue) may be taken for examination in the laboratory.
Skin Biopsy

Shave Biopsy: the top layers of skin in the area being investigated are shaved off with a scalpel (surgical knife) for investigation under a microscope. Punch Biopsy: a small cylindrical core of tissue is taken from the area being investigated for examination under a microscope. Excision Biopsy: all of the lesion or area being investigated is cut out with a scalpel for examination under a microscope. Incision Biopsy: part of the lesion is cut out with a scalpel for examination under a microscope.

Shave Biopsy: the top layers of skin in the area being investigated are shaved off with a scalpel (surgical knife) for investigation under a microscope.
 
Punch Biopsy: a small cylindrical core of tissue is taken from the area being investigated for examination under a microscope.
 
Excision Biopsy: all of the lesion or area being investigated is cut out with a scalpel for examination under a microscope.
 
Incision Biopsy: part of the lesion is cut out with a scalpel for examination under a microscope.
Skin Lesion Excision

Skin lesions such as cysts and tumours are removed by cutting around and under them with a scalpel.

Skin lesions such as cysts and tumours are removed by cutting around and under them with a scalpel.
Thyroidectomy

An incision (cut) is made in the front of and at the base of the neck and part or all of the thyroid gland is removed.

An incision (cut) is made in the front of and at the base of the neck and part or all of the thyroid gland is removed.
Varicose Veins

Vein stripping: the varicose veins are cut out and the veins that branch off them are tied off. The cuts (incisions) made in the skin are closed with sutures. Phlebectomy: small cuts (incisions) are made in the leg and the varicose veins are pulled out with a tiny hook-like instrument. The cuts are closed with tape rather than sutures and, once healed, are almost invisible.

Vein stripping: the varicose veins are cut out and the veins that branch off them are tied off. The cuts (incisions) made in the skin are closed with sutures.

Phlebectomy: small cuts (incisions) are made in the leg and the varicose veins are pulled out with a tiny hook-like instrument. The cuts are closed with tape rather than sutures and, once healed, are almost invisible.

Visiting Hours

  • Weekdays: 11:00 to 20:00
  • Weekends: 11:00 to 20:00

Parking

Free visitor parking is provided at the hospital.

Contact Details

Surgeons can be contacted at their private consultation rooms.

3 Brightside Road
Epsom
Auckland 1023

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Street Address

3 Brightside Road
Epsom
Auckland 1023

Postal Address

PO Box 26064
Epsom
Auckland 1344

This page was last updated at 11:19AM on September 12, 2024. This information is reviewed and edited by Southern Cross Brightside Hospital - General Surgery.