Established in 1912 by Professor Oscar De Mees, the Gastrointestinal Surgery department developed over time, until in 1975 it evolved into the Gastrointestinal, Thoracic and Endocrine Surgical department.

In addition to emergency surgery, we manage gastrointestinal, thoracic and endocrine conditions, categorised in two groups:

Benign conditions

• Impairment of the abdominal wall (treatment for inguinal and umbilical hernias, eventration) and of the gall bladder (gall bladder lithiasis (gallstones), acute cholecystitis, etc.)
• Gastric ulcers and gastro-oesophageal reflux
• Obesity: this condition accounts for a significant portion of the department’s activity. The most appropriate type of treatment is determined by convening a multidisciplinary meeting of the Obesity Clinic staff.
• Appendicitis
• Diverticular colitis
• Anal disease or proctology (anal fistulae, anal fissures, haemorrhoids, etc.)
• Functional rectal disorder (rectocele, rectal prolapse, anal incontinence)
• Benign lung disease (pneumothorax,...) including diagnostic procedures
• Thyroid goitre, parathyroid diseases and adrenal disorders.

Types of cancer

• Colon and rectal cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Lung cancer and mediastinal tumor
• Thyroid cancer

Our department works closely with the clinic’s gastroenterology, endocrinology, nuclear medicine, nephrology and radiology departments. The care of each patient presenting with gastrointestinal, lung or thyroid cancer falls within a multidisciplinary approach in keeping with good medical practice guidelines.

Most of our gastrointestinal and thoracic surgical procedures are performed via laparoscopy (coelioscopy) and thoracoscopy which is a surgical approach through small incisions. Laparoscopy helps reduce post-operative pain, the period of hospitalisation, the number of post-operative hernias (eventrations), and offers an advantage in terms of aesthetic appearance.

This approach, combined with the use of cutting-edge surgical technologies, enables us to provide our patients with the best quality of care.