Upper GI Surgery
e have a strong interest in minimally invasive laparoscopic (key hole) surgery and specialize in benign upper gastrointestinal conditions. We work closely with the colorectal surgeons and the gastroenterologists in our hospital to provide an effective multidisciplinary service.
Your health is very important to us and our patient pathways have been carefully developed to provide patients with the best experience from referral through to post-operative care. We aim to perform most of our surgery as a day case or overnight stay (one night in hospital). As a result we have one of the shortest waiting lists in the country and one of the highest-rated services by our patients in the NHS friends and family test.
Upper GI cancer surgery is performed in the regional centre, Derriford Hospital in Plymouth, as per National Guidelines, however, the unit is part of the Cancer Network and provides the whole range of initial management, including investigations & diagnosis. The North Devon unit is supported by a multidisciplinary team consisting of Cancer Nurse Specialists, Gastroenterologists, Radiologists, Oncologists and Pathologists. A video-conference is held fortnightly with Derriford Hospital in Plymouth to agree management plans for our patients and ensure timely treatment.
The unit also participates in the Emergency Surgery service, providing specialist care for complex Upper GI conditions such as severe pancreatitis and gastric volvulus. We have a well-developed fast-track pathway for patients with acute cholecystitis and gallstone pancreatitis ensuring timely surgical intervention where appropriate.
Our services
We provide a number of services including the assessment and treatment of:
- Diagnostic and Therapeutic Upper GI Endoscopy
- Treatment of diseases of the gall bladder and bile duct problems as well as pancreatitis
- Investigation and treatment of gastro-oesophageal problems including reflux (GORD), hiatus hernia, Barrett’s oesophagus and ulcer disease
- Investigation and treatment of disorders of the spleen
- Achalasia of the oesophagus
- Treatment of hernias – inguinal, femoral, umbilical, spigellian, lumbar, incisional and epigastric hernias
We also carry out a number of procedures including:
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and Bile duct exploration
- Laparoscopic antireflux Surgery
- Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair
- Splenectomy – laparoscopic and open
- Heller procedure (Cardiomyotomy)
- Inguinal hernia repair – laparoscopic and open
- Incisional and ventral hernia repair – laparoscopic and open
Meet the team
- Mr David Sanders BSc, MBCHB, FRCS, MD, PGDipMedEd (Clinical Lead for Upper GI Surgery)
- Mr Anjum Arain MBBS, FRCS, PGdipLapSurg (Locum Consultant GI Surgeon)
- Mr Maciej Pawlak MD, PhD (Consultant Upper GI and Abdominal Wall Surgeon)
- Mr John Findlay BMedSci (hons) BMBS (hons) PhD FRCS
Secretaries
Ms Angela McEnaney (Secretary for Mr D Sanders and Mr K Natarajan)
(Internal Ext 2749)
Direct Tel: 01271 322749
Fax: 01271 335917
Email: angela.mcenaney@nhs.net
Mrs Alison Ravenhill (Secretary for Mr Arain)
(Internal Ext 2749)
Direct Tel: 01271 322749
Fax: 01271 335917
Email: angela.mcenaney@nhs.net
Sonia Woodage
(Internal Ext 2749)
Direct Tel: 01271 322749
Fax: 01271 335917
Cancer Nurse Specialists
Mrs Sarah Dowson
Direct Tel: 01271 314147
Mr Martin Peters
Direct Tel: 01271 314147
Email: plh-tr.HPBPeninsulaSurgery@nhs.net
Mrs Sarah Hine (Upper GI Theatre Sister)
Helpful videos
Patient information leaflets
Anaesthetic choices for hip or knee replacement
Cardiac surgery (advice following)
Care of your child after their operation
Caring for your eyelid after surgery
Carpal tunnel decompression (discharge note)
Cyclodiode laser (eye treatment)
Day surgery advice for breast care patients
Discharge from the Day Surgery Unit
Discharge from the Day Surgery Unit (child)
Enhanced recovery programme (bowel surgery)
Fasting before operation (easy read)
Fundoplication (anti-reflux surgery)
Gallbladder operation (Laparoscopic cholecystectomy)
Going into Day Surgery (easy read)
Gynaecological procedure – aftercare
Nerve blocks for surgery on the shoulder, arm or hand
Para-oesophageal hernia repair
Preparing for your planned procedure: coronavirus precautions
Reasonable Adjustment Pathway for children and young people
Removal of Haemorrhoids (Haemorrhoidectomy)
Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT)
Suppression treatment before surgery
T.U.R.P. (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate)
Trabectome surgery (eye operation)
Ultrasound guided drain insertion