Sauk Prairie Healthcare's two board certified General surgeons have specialized skills and knowledge to diagnose, treat and manage a broad range of surgical conditions.
General surgical treatments address problems of the digestive system, thyroid and parathyroid, gallbladder, gastrointestinal tract, esophagus, liver, stomach, large and small bowel, rectum, pancreas, spleen and abnormalities of the breast.
Our General surgeons also perform upper and lower endoscopy, laparoscopic surgery, hernia repair and anti-reflux (hiatus hernia) surgery.
A common symptom of GERD is an ongoing struggle with heartburn, a burning or discomfort that can start at your stomach and move to your abdomen or chest, and even up into your throat. Needing over-the-counter medications for heartburn more than twice a week is often a red flag for GERD.
Over time, GERD can lead to chronic inflammation in your esophagus, resulting in other health complications. Sometimes GERD can be managed with lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications. For some people, stronger medication or surgery is needed to treat GERD.
A hernia occurs when an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue called fascia. Hernias are caused by a combination of pressure and an opening or weakness of muscle or fascia. Sometimes the muscle weakness is present at birth, but most often, the weakness occurs later in life. To completely repair a hernia, surgery is the only option. Sometimes laparoscopic surgery is an option, repairing your hernia with just three small incisions. The type of procedure that’s best for you will depend on the type of hernia, and your age and surgical history.
A screening colonoscopy and clearing the colon of polyps is the most effective way to prevent colorectal cancer. This can reduce your chances of colorectal cancer by up to 90%. Colonoscopy is a procedure to examine the lining of your colon, or large bowel. A narrow flexible tube with a tiny light and camera at the end is gently inserted and advanced through the colon. Your surgeon may also remove polyps, take a biopsy, or cauterize a bleeding vessel if indicated.
General Surgeons:
H. Clay Dean, MD
Theodore Parins, MD