Oesophagogastric Professorial Surgical Unit

The Professorial Surgical Unit has an international reputation for its clinical and research expertise. Many of our patients are referred by colleagues from areas outside metropolitan Adelaide, and also from interstate.

The Professorial Surgical Unit is staffed by two University Surgeons, and one Staff Surgeon.

Oesophagogastric Professorial Surgical Unit Staff

Location

The Professorial Surgical Unit is located in Ward R6, on Level 6 in the North Wing of the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Clinical Services

Apart from catering for the emergency and elective workload of a busy general surgical unit, the clinical interests of the Professorial Surgical Unit include

• gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
• oesophageal cancer
• portal hypertension
• bariatric surgery
• liver surgery.

Members of the unit perform over 200 operations a year for oesophageal reflux, over 40 operations a year for oesophageal cancer and a range of other gastrointestinal procedures.

Oesophageal Reflux

The Unit is at the international forefront for the surgical management of oesophageal reflux and hiatus hernia. At any one time, several clinical trials are likely to be under way. Currently, a study is in progress to assess the most effective technique to prevent oesophageal reflux and at the same time to reduce the incidence of side effects from the operation. The unit is currently coordinating a similar trial involving surgeons from Australia and New Zealand.

Oesophageal Function Laboratory

Routine diagnostic testing is provided in the clinical laboratory for evaluation of oesophageal function. The services include:

• Oesophageal manometry for oesophageal muscle and sphincter function.
• Ambulatory monitoring for gastro-oesophageal reflux, using
  • 24 hr acid reflux (pH) testing;
• multi-channel pH testing for supra-oesophageal symptoms or
• combined bile and acid reflux monitoring for 24 hours.

Appointments can be made by phone (ph 8222 5517) or by fax upon completion of the appropriate request form. Please ensure the patient has the patient appointment letter, which includes test descriptions, directions and required preparation for the test/s.

Oesophageal Cancer

This disease is now managed in a multidisciplinary manner, with input from surgeons, oncologists, radiotherapists and gastroenterologists. The Professorial Surgical Unit is currently leading a multicentre study to evaluate the place of pre-operative chemoradiotherapy in the management of carcinoma of the cardia and oesophagus.

Obesity Surgery

Members of the Unit are studying new operations for obesity and evaluating a number of surgical procedures.

Research

Major research interests are in the field of upper surgery in general, and gastro oesophageal reflux disease and oesophageal cancer disease in particular. Professor Jamieson was instrumental in setting up The Royal Adelaide Centre for Endoscopic Surgery , with its strong interest in randomised controlled trials in the field of reflux disease. This has inevitably led to interests in the development of columnar lined mucosa in the oesophagus, and its relationship to oesophageal cancer.

Development and evaluation of computer-based resources for medical education: Members of the department, in collaboration with the Medical Education Unit, maintain an active interest in the development of computer-based educational tools. A number of software projects are in progress, and these are accompanied by full evaluation through quantitative and qualitative investigation. Studies are currently underway to determine the most effective way of providing material on the computer, which can improve problem solving skills and understanding. Other projects involve the use of computer-based tools to measure clinical competence, both formatively and summatively.

Training

The Professorial Surgical Unit has responsibility for the training of surgeons, including those studying for the Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, and more senior trainees who wish to specialise in upper gastrointestinal surgery. The Unit continues to attract surgeons from many parts of the world who wish to train under its auspices.