Dr Nico Coetzee - General Surgeon CONTACT US

Dr Nico Coetzee

Dr Nico Coetzee

Dr Coetzee specializes in Laparoscopic and Open surgery including certain areas of Surgical Oncology

Dr Coetzee specializes in Laparoscopic and Open surgery including certain areas of Surgical Oncology

Dr Coetzee joined the Medi Clinic group at  Somerset West in 2009..Previously  active and involved in the evolution of Laparoscopic Surgery as a participant and as an educator at Tygerberg Hospital in the Western Cape.

Dr Nico Coetzee

Dr Coetzee specializes in Laparoscopic and Open surgery including certain areas of Surgical Oncology

Dr Nico Coetzee

Dr Coetzee joined the Medi Clinic group at  Somerset West in 2009..Previously  active and involved in the evolution of Laparoscopic Surgery as a participant and as an educator at Tygerberg Hospital in the Western Cape.

Dr Coetzee joined the Medi Clinic group at  Somerset West in 2009..Previously  active and involved in the evolution of Laparoscopic Surgery as a participant and as an educator at Tygerberg Hospital in the Western Cape.

Dr Nico Coetzee

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Dr Nico Coetzee

Dr Nico Coetzee

Dr Coetzee specializes in Laparoscopic and Open surgery including certain areas of Surgical Oncology

Dr Coetzee specializes in Laparoscopic and Open surgery including certain areas of Surgical Oncology

Dr Coetzee joined the Medi Clinic group at  Somerset West in 2009..Previously  active and involved in the evolution of Laparoscopic Surgery as a participant and as an educator at Tygerberg Hospital in the Western Cape.

Dr Nico Coetzee

Dr Coetzee specializes in Laparoscopic and Open surgery including certain areas of Surgical Oncology

Dr Nico Coetzee

Dr Coetzee joined the Medi Clinic group at  Somerset West in 2009..Previously  active and involved in the evolution of Laparoscopic Surgery as a participant and as an educator at Tygerberg Hospital in the Western Cape.

Dr Coetzee joined the Medi Clinic group at  Somerset West in 2009..Previously  active and involved in the evolution of Laparoscopic Surgery as a participant and as an educator at Tygerberg Hospital in the Western Cape.

Dr Nico Coetzee

APPENDECTOMY

What is the appendix?

The appendix produces a bacteria-destroying protein called immunoglobulin, which helps fight infection in the body. Its function, however, is not essential. People who have had appendectomies do not have an increased risk toward infection. Other organs in the body take over this function once the appendix has been removed.


What is a laparoscopic appendectomy?

Appendicitis is one of the most common surgical problems. One out of every 2,000 people has an appendectomy sometime during their lifetime. Treatment requires an operation to remove the infected appendix. Traditionally, the appendix is removed through an incision in the right lower abdominal wall.


In most laparoscopic appendectomies, surgeons operate through 3 small incisions (each ¼ to ½ inch) while watching an enlarged image of the patient’s internal organs on a television monitor. In some cases, one of the small openings may be lengthened to 2 or 3 inches to complete the procedur

Advantages of laparoscopic appendectomy

Results may vary depending upon the type of procedure and patient’s overall

condition.

Common advantages are:


    Less postoperative pain

    May shorten hospital stay

    May result in a quicker return to bowel function

    Quicker return to normal activity

    Better cosmetic results


Are you a candidate for laparoscopic appendectomy?

Although laparoscopic appendectomy has many benefits, it may not be appropriate for some patients. Early, non-ruptured appendicitis usually can be removed laparoscopically. Laparoscopic appendectomy is more difficult to perform if there is advanced infection or the appendix has ruptured. A traditional, open procedure using a larger incision may be required to safely remove the infected appendix in these patients.


How is laparoscopic appendectomy performed?

The words “laparoscopic” and “open” appendectomy describes the techniques a surgeon uses to gain access to the internal surgery site. Most laparoscopic appendectomies start the same way. Using a cannula (a narrow tube-like instrument), the surgeon enters the abdomen. A laparoscope (a tiny telescope connected to a video camera) is inserted through a cannula, giving the surgeon a magnified view of the patient’s internal organs on a television monitor. Several other cannulas are inserted to allow the surgeon to work inside and remove the appendix. The entire procedure may be completed through the cannulas or by lengthening one of the small cannula incisions. A drain may be placed during the procedure. This will be removed before you leave the hospital.


What happens if the operation cannot be performed or completed by the laparoscopic method?

In a small number of patients the laparoscopic method is not feasible because of the inability to visualize or handle the organs effectively. When the surgeon feels that it is safest to convert the laparoscopic procedure to an open one, this is not a complication, but rather sound surgical judgment. Factors that may increase the possibility of converting to the “open” procedure may include:



The decision to perform the open procedure is a judgment decision made by your surgeon either before or during the actual operation. The decision to convert to an open procedure is strictly based on patient safety.


What should I expect after surgery?

After the operation, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions. Although many people feel better in just a few days, remember that your body needs time to heal.


You are encouraged to be out of bed the day after surgery and to walk. This will help diminish the risk of blood clots in your legs and of soreness in your muscles.

You will probably be able to get back to most of your normal activities in one to two weeks time. These activities include showering, driving, walking up stairs, working and engaging in sexual intercourse.

If you have prolonged soreness or are getting no relief from the prescribed pain medication, you should notify your surgeon.

You should call Doctor Coetzee and schedule a follow up appointment for about 1-2 weeks following your operation.


What complications can occur?

As with any operation, there are risks including the risk of complications. However, the risk of one of these complications occurring is no higher than if the operation was done with the open technique.



It is important for you to recognize the early signs of possible complications. Contact Doctor Coetzee if you have severe abdominal pain, fever, chills or rectal bleeding.


When to call your doctor?

Be sure to call your physician or surgeon if you develop any of the following:



This website is not intended to take the place of your discussion with your surgeon about the need for an Appendectomy. If you have questions about your need for an Appendectomy, your alternatives, billing or insurance coverage, or your surgeons training and experience, do not hesitate to ask Doctor V or his office staff about it. If you have questions about the operation or subsequent follow-up, please discuss them with your surgeon before or after the operation.


Watch Our Video’s

UNDERSTANDING GASTRO ESOPHOGEAL REFLUX  DISEASE

LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY FOR TO TREAT GASTRO ESOPHOGEAL REFUX DISEASE

UNDERSTANDING COLON RESECTION SURGERY

UNDERSTANDING DIAGNOSTIC LAPROSCOPY PART 1

UNDERSTANDING  DIAGNOSTIC LAPROSCOPY  PART 2

 UNDERSTANDING LAPAROSCOPIC GALL BLADDER REMOVAL

UNDERSTANDING A COLONOSCOPY

 ABOUT COLON CANCER

BREAST CANCER