ABOUT
Dr Tendani Muthambi is a general surgeon who specialises in breast surgery, gastrointestinal diseases, surgery related to trauma, soft tissue procedures, vascular disease and laparoscopic surgery.
Dr Muthambi attained his medical degree and specialised in General Surgery from the University of Witwatersrand (WITS). The doctor gained vast experience while he worked in the emergency wing at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg.
Services includes :
- Breast surgery
Breast cancer arises from a rapid mutation in the breast cells. Abnormal nipple discharge, changes in the colour, shape and size of the breasts are signs of breast cancer. Both women and men are prone to breast cancer. Regular breast screenings are needed to prevent late-stage breast cancer. Lumpectomy and mastectomy are two different types of breast surgical procedures. A lumpectomy and partial mastectomy are breast preserving surgeries. To preserve the breast, the general surgeon removes the cancerous lump and adjacent healthy tissue. The entire breast tissue is extracted during a mastectomy. Usually, after a mastectomy, a plastic surgeon performs reconstructive surgery to recreate the breast and nipple, areola region. Reconstructive surgery remains an option but isn’t unnecessary if the patient chooses to opt for a nipple-conserving procedure. - Appendix surgery
Appendicitis is a severe condition that occurs when the appendix becomes infected or ruptures. When the appendix becomes infected, bacteria breed within the abdomen. The build-up of bacteria leads to the formation of pus. Abdominal pain and swelling, nausea, fever, diarrhoea and constipation are symptoms of appendicitis. Appendectomy is an emergency procedure whereby the general surgeon removes the appendix before it bursts. A burst appendix is a life-threatening condition. When the appendix ruptures, bacteria seep into the abdominal cavity. Dr Muthambi performs a laparoscopic appendectomy to remove the appendix. In some cases, when the appendix has ruptured, open surgery is needed. - Hernia repair surgery
A hernia arises when a slice of tissue pushes through an opening in the muscular wall. Inguinal, femoral, umbilical, Hiatal and incisional hernias are all different types of hernias. A hernia is a bulge that forms in the abdominal region that becomes more apparent when a person lies down or coughs. Surgery to repair a hernia can be conducted openly or laparoscopically. Laparoscopic surgery is less invasive, but not all patients meet the standards of the procedure. For all surgeries, both open and laparoscopic, the general surgeon pushes the piece of tissue or organ back in its place and uses a surgical mesh to reinforce the area. - Surgery for oesophagus
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, also known as "GORD" is an illness that affects the oesophagus and stomach. GORD occurs when stomach acid retracts into the oesophagus. The lower oesophageal sphincter is a muscle that's situated at the base of the oesophagus. This muscle contracts and relaxes as a person swallows. Acid reflux arises when the lower oesophageal sphincter fails to work as it should. When the muscle fails to close correctly, digestive fluid rises into the oesophagus. If symptoms persist after the use of medication, the doctor will have to perform surgery. - Surgery for haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids that are generally termed “piles” are inflamed blood vessels that appear around the anus or in the rectum. These sensitive growths are filled with blood and may be either internal or external. Chronic constipation, pregnancy and strained bowel movements are factors that increase the risk of haemorrhoids. Pain, bleeding, constipation and itching are symptoms of haemorrhoids. Various surgical and non-surgical methods are used to remove haemorrhoids. Rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy and infrared coagulation are less invasive techniques used to remove haemorrhoids. The general surgeon performs a haemorrhoidectomy or Haemorrhoidopexy to remove thrombosed haemorrhoids. The general surgeon may either cut, staple or shrink haemorrhoids. - Stomach surgeries
Dr Muthambi performs a range of stomach surgeries to treat stomach cancer, ulcers, dumping, gastroparesis and dysphagia. Gastric bypass surgery is one of Dr Muthambi’s specialities. The general surgeon removes a portion of the stomach and small intestine to reduce weight. Vagotomy is performed to reduce the excessive stimulation of stomach acid. The general surgeon performs a pyloroplasty to regulate the movement of food. Gastrostomy tubes are used to alleviate vomiting. Food and liquids are transferred through gastrostomy tubes to prevent dehydration. Stomach dumping happens when food moves into the small intestine too quickly, and it's for this reason, the surgeon will have to reconstruct the pyloric valve to regulate the movement of food to the intestine. - Surgery for the small intestine
Bleeding, celiac and Crohn’s disease, tumours, diverticular disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers and obstruction are a few intestinal conditions. A diagnostic colonoscopy or endoscopy is used to help confirm or rule out intestinal diseases. Dr Muthambi performs open or laparoscopic surgery to remove the affected part of the intestine. As soon as the general surgeon removes the damaged portion of the intestine, he joins the healthy ends together. Both open and laparoscopic surgeries are performed under general anaesthesia. - Surgery for the colon and rectum
Ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, colon polyps and Crohn’s disease are conditions that affect the colon and rectum. Dr Muthambi performs surgery to restore gut health. The general surgeon conducts a less invasive endoscopic procedure to remove tumours. A bendable endoscope is gently inserted through the anus into the colon. Through the use of surgical wire, the surgeon tightens and cuts the tumour from the colon lining. In a case of colon cancer, a colectomy is performed to remove only a portion of the large intestine, and the healthy ends are then reattached. A Colostomy is the removal of a large part of the entire intestine. If a colostomy is performed, the surgeon will have to attach a surgical colostomy bag for waste to pass through. - Hepatobiliary (HPB)
Dr Muthambi performs specialised Hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery to treat conditions that affect the liver, biliary ducts and pancreas. Surgery is needed to treat obstructions and remove tumours, polyps and cysts. Both laparoscopic and open surgery is performed under general anaesthesia. Reconstruction, radiation and transplants may be required after complex surgery. A multidisciplinary team of oncologists, surgeons and nutritionists help treat hepatobiliary cancer. - Gastroscopy
A gastroscopy is an internal examination of the oesophagus. The surgeon inserts a flexible tube called a gastroscope through the mouth to examine the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum. A gastroscopy is conducted to investigate the cause of iron-deficiency anaemia, excessive bleeding, trouble swallowing and indigestion. A gastroscopy is an outpatient procedure that takes less than twenty minutes. Before the general surgeon performs the procedure, he sprays the patient’s throat with a bitter local anaesthetic. The camera at the base of the scope sends images of the surgical area to a television screen in the operative room. A biopsy may also be conducted during the procedure. - Colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that’s used to diagnose stomach diseases like colon cancer, colon polyps, diverticular disease, infections, Crohn’s disease and gastrointestinal bleeding. Before the procedure, Dr Muthambi will instruct patients to stick to a clear-fluid diet and avoid fluids or foods that contain dye. Dr Muthambi inserts a bendable scope through the anus into the colon. The camera at the base of the colonoscope sends images of the surgical site to a television screen in the operative room. It's during this procedure that the general surgeon removes colon polyps and reduces internal bleeding. In some cases, a sample of tissue is extracted for biopsy. - Surgery for skin conditions
Skin cancer like melanoma, basal and squamous cell carcinoma requires surgical intervention. Dr Tendani Muthambi performs biopsies to treat skin cancer, moles, skin tags, psoriasis and hyperpigmentation. The general surgeon injects a local anaesthetic into the area of the skin where the removal will be done. A shave biopsy involves the removal of a few layers of skin. A punch biopsy entails the use of a surgical tube that’s stamped into the skin (similar to how a cookie cutter functions) to remove deep layers of skin. An excisional biopsy involves a deep cut to remove the lesion along with fatty tissue. - Oncology surgery
Oncology surgery is needed to eradicate tumours and stop the spread of disease. Swollen lymph glands are a sign of cancer. The general surgeon carries out a lymph node biopsy to determine if cancer has spread. Fine needle aspiration is a biopsy that's performed under anaesthesia. The surgeon slides a needle into the lymph nodes and withdraws fluid for further tests. - Laparoscopic surgery
Laparoscopy is a less invasive procedure that’s used to repair abnormalities, remove abnormal growths and treat infectious diseases. Laparoscopy is an outpatient procedure. Either general or local anaesthesia is administered. The general surgeon uses a light bendable tube called a laparoscope to look inside the body and check for diseases or internal bleeding. The laparoscope has a camera that’s fitted at its base. The camera transfers images of the surgical area to a television screen in the doctor’s rooms. Mostly laparoscopy is done for diagnostic purposes, especially when an ultrasound or x-ray fails to diagnose an illness. - Thyroid and parathyroid surgery
The thyroid gland is a bow-tie shaped gland that rests at the base of the neck. The thyroid secretes essential hormones that control weight, growth and neurological development. Dr Muthambi performs a thyroidectomy to resect a portion of the whole thyroid gland. Parathyroid glands are four tiny glands that resemble rice grains. The parathyroid gland secretes the parathyroid hormone (PTH). PTH regulates blood calcium levels. When the parathyroid becomes overactive, it secretes too much PTH. High blood calcium levels are fatal. The general surgeon performs a parathyroidectomy to remove some or all of the parathyroid glands. - Surgery for soft tissue tumours
Tumours can appear in the soft tissues. Sarcomas can be located in the head, abdomen, legs and arms. A sarcoma can be painful, especially when it affects the nerves and muscles. Bleeding occurs when tumours grow in the gastrointestinal tract. In its early stages, soft tissue sarcoma presents no symptoms. A liposarcoma arises from cancer of the fat cells. Liposarcoma is a lump that appears beneath a layer of skin. Treatment depends on the grade of the sarcoma. Chemotherapy and radiation are necessary to prevent the spread of the disease. - Trauma surgery
Trauma could be a result of whiplash, falls, injuries and motor vehicle accidents. These accidents could affect the brain, spine, soft tissues and bones. Dr Muthambi performs surgery under dire circumstances. The extent of trauma surgery depends on the severity of the injury. - Vascular access surgery
Dr Muthambi performs vascular access surgery to thread in a catheter for dialysis. Patients who suffer from kidney disease or renal failure need dialysis. A permanent dialysis catheter is used for late-stage renal disease, congestive heart failure, pancreatitis and enzyme deficiencies. The general surgeon threads a catheter into the vein and uses an x-ray as a guide to check that it’s in place. Dialysis begins as soon as the catheter is in place.




