Windsor Medical is pleased to offer a workshop for consultants / senior trainees wishing to learn laparoscopic vaginal assisted hysterectomy (LAVH) or wishing to advance to TLH.

• Laparoscopic theatre setup
• Equipment familiarsition & selection
• Entry techniques, port placement & ergonomics
• Securing pedicle haemostasis
• How to avoid Urological injury (Ureteric and bladder infection)
• Colpotomy & vault suturing
• Vault elevation and preventing apical prolapse, uterosacral plication (High McCalla Culdoplasty)

Venue: Antrim Area Hospital

Date: 16 January 2012

Contact: Lorna McGuigan (Course Administrator), Tel: 028 9442 4338 or Email: lorna.mcguigan@northerntrust.hscni.net

Course Fee: £245

Course is limited to 8 delegates

Faculty: Dr Keith Johnston (Course Director), Prof. Neil McClure, Dr David Hunter, Dr Ian Harley, Dr Geoff McCracken.

Course Programme (RCOG APPROVED)

Basic Open surgical techniques
Safety principles
Instrument handling and knots

Basic Obstetrical and Gynaecological Surgery Technique

Anatomy
Practical Obsetrics; including forceps / ventouse delivery, fetal scalp blood sampling and manual removal of placenta
Obstetric emergencies

Basic Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy

Stack system and troubleshooting
Laparoscopic entry techniques
Complications recognition and management

Venue: Antrim Area Hospital
Dates: 7-9 December 2011
Contact: Lorna McGuigan ( Course Administrator), Tel: 028 9442 4338 or Email: lorna.mcguigan@northerntrust.hscni.net
Course Fee: £650 (Includes course dinner)

Faculty: Dr Keith Johnston (Course Director), Prof. Neil McClure, Dr David Hunter, Dr Ian Harley, Dr Geoff McCracken.

Course Programme (RCOG APPROVED)

Basic Open surgical techniques
Safety principles
Instrument handling and knots

Basic Obstetrical and Gynaecological Surgery Technique

Anatomy
Practical Obsetrics; including forceps / ventouse delivery, fetal scalp blood sampling and manual removal of placenta
Obstetric emergencies

Basic Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy

Stack system and troubleshooting
Laparoscopic entry techniques
Complications recognition and management

Venue: Antrim Area Hospital

Dates:
6-8 June 2012 or
5-7 December 2012

Contact: Lorna McGuigan ( Course Administrator), Tel: 028 9442 4338 or Email: lorna.mcguigan@northerntrust.hscni.net

Course Fee: £675 (Includes course dinner)

Faculty: Dr Keith Johnston (Course Director), Prof. Neil McClure, Dr David Hunter, Dr Ian Harley, Dr Geoff McCracken.

Course lectures:

Electrosurgery
Review of pelvic anatomy & Safe entry techniques
Operative laparoscopic theatre setup
Surgical management Ectopic pregnancy
Management of Ovarian cysts- large and small

Practical component:

Dry lab training
Live surgery (4-6 cases)

Venue: Antrim Area Hospital

Dates:
26th & 27th March 2012 or
24th & 25th September 2012

Contact: Lorna McGuigan (Course Administrator), Tel: 028 9442 4338 or Email: lorna.mcguigan@northerntrust.hscni.net

Course Fee: £ 595 (includes course dinner)

Course is limited to 8 delegates

Faculty: Dr Keith Johnston (Course Director), Dr David Hunter, Prof. Neil McClure, Dr Ian Harley, Dr Geoff McCracken

I decided to research the procedure on the internet and unfortunately came across some horror stories, much to my dismay. As a direct result I was somewhat nervous and apprehensive regarding the procedure. At one point I had considered cancelling but my desire to have a successful pregnancy made me reconsider.

I am extremely grateful that I went ahead as the procedure was both painless and quick. From start to finish I was only on the table for approximately 5 minutes. I had no cramping at all. Afterwards I had no staining and no need to take medication for pain. In summary I feel that a routine smear test is more uncomfortable than the scope was. The results were good and I have been given the go ahead to try and conceive again.

As much as the internet is an excellent informative tool, I feel you can also read information that is not helpful. I would not hesitate in recommending this procedure to any lady who like me would be concerned as to what is involved.

I want to express my thanks to the team and the nurses especially for the distraction techniques!

At your scan you will see wonderful live 3 dimensional images of your baby’s face and body and your baby moving (known as 4D scanning). It will be carried out by our highly trained and experienced radiographers in a relaxed, comfortable, friendly environment.

The scan lasts approximately 30 minutes and your partner or a friend is very welcome to accompany you.

To obtain the best images of your baby we recommend attending for your scan between weeks 24 and 30 of your pregnancy. A normality scan will be carried out and if you would like to know the sex of your baby, we will inform you, if it is possible to do so.

As part of this service you will have a 30 minute scan and you will receive 3D pictures of your baby and a DVD of your baby’s movements in the womb.

Download the Voucher

The service will also test samples for ICSI and IVF compatibility, post vasectomy and vasectomy reversal.

The service will be carried out at in a private medical clinic on the Malone Road in Belfast.  We are able to offer appointments within 2 weeks of bookings being made and results will be made available either by post or by secure email within 2-3 days of the test. “

Having known several friends who have had this procedure I felt a bit nervous, as I knew that it is a serious operation. Initially I was offered open surgery however the recovery time is often drawn out.

It was after I expressed my concerns about the length of time taken to recover that I was referred to another consultant, Dr Johnston, who suggested keyhole surgery to perform the hysterectomy.

I was given a course of injections to shrink the fibroids in order to prepare my womb for surgery and on the 12th April I was admitted to Antrim Area Hospital to have my procedure. That was on a Monday and while I felt quite groggy and tired immediately after the surgery I did not have any significant pain, just some slight discomfort.

I was able to leave the hospital on the Thursday to recuperate. Having had 2 caesarean sections to deliver my children over 20 years ago, I remember the pain involved and the extreme care that was required when dealing with such a large open wound but with the keyhole surgery there were only 4 small incisions.

I feel that I am recovering quite quickly and although I have needed to rest a lot, I feel that having the keyhole surgery has been a very positive experience and something that I would definitely recommend to anyone who has to have a hysterectomy.

This would generally happen in between my periods. I was also starting to feel pain when I sat down and often when going to the bathroom also several times after sex I would be in agony. As well as this I always had pain in my side or a constant dull ache that never seemed to go away. I finally decided to make an appointment to see a gynaecologist in November 2009.

After an internal scan he informed me that I had several large cysts the size of golf balls and that I may have Endometriosis, although he could not confirm this until he had performed a laparoscopy. I was put on a waiting list but the following month in December whilst away with my husband, I had another debilitating attack and ended up being rushed to hospital by ambulance.

I was discharged the following day and transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where I was due to be admitted for observation. I was very lucky that day when one of the doctors informed me that another gynaecologist, Dr David Hunter was prepared to add me to his list of procedures that afternoon. Although nervous about surgery as soon as I met Dr Hunter he made me feel completely at ease.

The surgery revealed a cyst on my left ovary and also that my ovary was attached to my bowel. On my right the cyst had ruptured which explained the attack whilst away on holiday, and also that I had severe endometriosis. Dr Hunter informed me that I would require a second surgery which would be more invasive and also require bowel preparation.

The procedure itself was about an hour long and afterwards apart from the drip in my arm I also had a drain for my wound overnight. I was advised to take it easy for the next 2 or so weeks. Although it was painful for the first week or so I no longer suffered the discomfort when going to the bathroom or sitting down, nor aches or pains in my right side.

My next operation was in March and it came at the best possible time as the few weeks prior to my second operation I had started to get that dull ache in my side again. This time I had bowel preparation prior to the operation. This meant being admitted to the hospital the day before and taking two lots of laxatives drinks so that my bowel was completely empty for surgery.

The surgery itself was a success, the Endometriosis was severe but Dr Hunter and his team managed to remove it all. They did however find that the Endometriosis was in the muscle of the womb, this is called Adenomyosis.

Although I had anxieties when I found out about the Adenomyosis I am also very pleased that my surgery went well and that Dr Hunter did absolutely the best job. This was a very positive outcome. It was just by chance that I was able to have Dr Hunter as my doctor, and I am so happy about this. He and his team have been fantastic and supportive and also all the staff in the ward were brilliant.

I would urge any woman who is having the same or similar problems to go and see your GP and/or gynaecologist. Endometriosis is serious and painful and not something that any woman should have to suffer.

Find out more about Endometriosis