Surgical Services

More than 45,000 general surgeries – inpatient and outpatient – are performed each year at Memorial Hermann. At our 11 acute care hospitals throughout the Greater Houston area, our affiliated, skilled surgeons specialize in treating a wide variety of conditions, including:

Acute Abdominal Pain

Sudden, acute pain in the abdomen can be a medical emergency, requiring immediate diagnosis and treatment by a specialized surgeon. Warning signs include sudden and severe debilitating pain, rapid heart rate, low blood pressure and swelling of the abdomen.

Learn more about acute abdominal pain, including common characteristics and treatment options.

Appendicitis

Appendicitis is considered a medical emergency and is the most common reason for surgery due to acute abdominal pain. Requiring immediate removal of the blocked appendix via an appendectomy, surgery can be performed using the minimally invasive laparoscopic technique. Ruptured or infected appendices, however, may require an open appendectomy to clean the abdominal cavity.

Learn more about appendicitis, including common causes and treatment options.

Diverticulitis

An estimated 10% to 35%of patients with diverticulitis will develop significant complications, including bowel obstruction, perforated bowel or peritonitis (a bacterial infection of the abdomen). If these patients don’t respond to nonsurgical treatment within 48 hours, emergency surgery may berequired. Depending on the patient’s condition, surgery may involve removing or repairing sections of the intestine, and potentially a temporary colostomy.

Learn more about diverticulitis, including the most common causes and treatment options.

Gallbladder Disease

The gallbladder can be affected by a number of diseases – ranging from a blockage of the bile duct to gallbladder cancer. Laparoscopic surgery may be recommended for the removal of the gallbladder, one of the most effective treatments for the disease.

There are several common types of gallbladder disease, including:

• Gallstones
• Cholestasis
• Cholecystitis
• Gallbladder cancer

Each of these diseases affects the bile production of the gallbladder, which aids in the digestion process. However, the gallbladder is not an essential organ, and your doctor may recommend its removal.

Learn more about gallbladder disease, including the most common causes and treatment options.

Hernia

Inguinal hernias are by far the most common type of hernia, affecting eight times more men than women. While some hernias are not severe enough to require surgery, others do require a treatment that involves laparoscopic surgery to suture or place a synthetic mesh over the herniated muscle.

Learn more about hernia repair and treatment options.

Intestinal Obstruction

Also called a bowel obstruction, intestinal obstruction results from a mechanical blockage of the small or large intestine. Inflammatory bowel disease, foreign bodies and prior abdominal or pelvic surgery are a few common causes.

While partial blockages may be treated non-surgically, a complete intestinal obstruction is a medical emergency requiring immediate surgery to remove the blockage and damaged tissue.

Learn more about intestinal obstruction and the causes, risk factors and treatment options.

Kidney Stones

Stones can form within the kidney for a variety of reasons, including dehydration, family history and certain medical conditions. Passing small kidney stones, while painful, will not cause lasting damage. However, larger stones may need to be removed using minimally invasive surgical procedures such as ureteroscopy (URS) or percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

Learn more about kidney stone symptoms and treatment options.

Robotic and Minimally Invasive Procedures

Using state-of-the-art robotic-assisted surgery equipment, urological surgeons affiliated with Memorial Hermann are able to administer urologic and gynecologic procedures with greater surgical precision and improved dexterity. Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), neurosurgery and orthopedic surgery treatments using image-guided technology and enhanced 3D visualization are also offered.

Learn more about our Robotic and Minimally Invasive Procedures along with a complete list of treatments offered.

Nationally Recognized Surgical Services at Memorial Hermann

The skilled general surgeons affiliated with Memorial Hermann offer treatments for additional specialties, including, but not limited to:

• Soft tissue infections
• Exploratory laparotomies
• Wound debridement and treatment
• Removal/biopsy of masses and nodules
• Revisional surgeries

Our affiliated surgeons are trained to perform many of these surgical procedures through minimally invasive means, which may result in fewer complications, smaller scars and, on average, shorter recovery times.

Additionally, the Memorial Hermann General Surgery Clinical Programs Committee (CPC) monitors physician quality, determines best practices for evidence-based treatment, and provides vital input into the technology and instrumentation used.

If you, or a family member, have received an order for surgery from your primary care physician, you can schedule an appointment today with a Memorial Hermann-affiliated physician using our online ScheduleNow portal or by calling us at (713) 222-CARE.