FAQ Orthopaedic & General Surgery

• Do I need a referral from my Doctor?

• Would it help if I brought my MRI's, x-rays, etc with me?

• Should I inform the doctor if there is anything unusual in my medical history?

• Can my partner attend the consultation?

• Can you tell me more about your facility in Belgium?

• Can I bring a relative or friend?

• On which days is the surgery undertaken?

• How many main orthopaedic procedures are done at the Hospital per year?

• How many people does your organisation treat a year?

• Will I need a blood transfusion?

• If need is this included in price?

• What is the blood screening policy?

• What steps are taken to prevent blood clots (thrombosis)

• I wish to fly shortly after my surgery is this safe?

• What type of Anaesthesia is used?

• Could you tell me a little more about the intensive care facilities?

• Is there any additional cost associated with this?

• What make of prosthesis is used?

• What is the expected life of this implant and it's track record?>

• I understand that there is cemented as well as cement-less fixation, which is the surgeon likely to use?

• Is there a web site for the makers?

• Is the Continuous Passive Motion machine used to exercise after knee surgery?

• What charges are not included?

• It would be nice to speak to some one who has used your services, can you provide a reference that I could reach by telephone?

• I am not very mobile can you assist with wheelchairs?

• How long is the duration of stay?

• Can I stay longer if required?

• How do I book?

• Methods of Payment

Below is the list of Frequently-Asked Questions on Orthopaedic and General Surgery. It has answers to most of the common questions. If you are seeking answers to questions that you feel have not been answered feel free to contact us through our Contact Form. Resources and Documentation are also available for download in our Download Area.

Do I need a referral from my Doctor?

A doctors referral is not necessary the surgeon will carry out a full clinical examination x-rays are taken as well as blood and urine tests and a consultation with the orthopaedic consultant the day before surgery.

If you can obtain them they may be useful but the surgeon will carry out investigations and take x-rays so it is not necessary to bring them. Any MRI's you may wish to bring should be less than 3 months old.

Should I inform the doctor if there is anything unusual in my medical history?

Yes although this is covered in the pre-surgery questionnaire, which the doctor will have read it is always helpful to mention any major points again. To download the pre-surgery questionnaire, go to our download page.

Yes that they are welcome to attend; the surgeon is quite open and has nothing to hide.

Make a Booking Today - Click Here - to Complete the Online Pre Surgery Questionnaire.

Can you tell me more about your facility in Belgium?

Our partner Hospital in Belgium was established in 1948 it has 197 beds is equipped with the latest technology and carries out surgical procedures with confidence offering the very best medical care and attention.

The hospital staff comprises of 40 physicians and over 420 employees. Each physician is a specialist trained in one of the primary medical disciplines: anaesthesiology, general surgery, vascular surgery, ear nose & throat, gynaecology & obstetrics, oral & facial surgery, orthopaedics, urology, dermatology, internal medicine, cardiology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, rheumatology, radiology. The five operating theatres are equipped with the newest technology. The emergency department and the 8-bed intensive care facility are staffed 24 hours a day with on site resident cover.

Nursing staff are dedicated to providing a quality service and effective patient care at all times giving their full commitment and excellence in caring for their guests. In addition the hospital is equipped with an extensive physical rehabilitation unit, a state-of-the-art laboratory and radiology department are available on site. The hospital places a strong emphasis on cleanliness and the quality of its food. All meals are prepared on site and the menu changes daily.

There is a hairdresser and even a massage available for friends and family staying there.

Yes there is an in house modern bed & breakfast facility especially for friends & family members.

Surgery is performed either on a Tuesday or Thursday. The day before surgery is set-aside for patients clinical and pre surgical examinations and tests.

The teem of consultant surgeons have been operating at this hospital since 1992 and carry out 400 major procedures per year.

Approx 300 hip, knee, spine, general surgery plus scans & investigations.

Will I need a blood transfusion?

With knee replacement surgery it is possible that you may need some blood.

Transfusion is included in the price.

European policy on filtration and testing of blood is very strict. The hospital is equipped with its own accredited laboratories. Blood samples can be screened day or night.

The ICU can locally provide blood-gas analysis and ionogram under the supervision of the central laboratory, which is responsible for quality.
Blood transfusion services are organised as specified in the European guide to "qualification assurance of blood donation and preparation use" (edition 8th January 2002 under code R 9515)

Practical Arrangements Describe:

• Indications
  
• Method of Transfusion
  
• ABO and Rhesus Control

Indications for:

• CMV Negative Blood
  
• Deleucocyted Blood
  
• Lymfocyt Radiation

• Transfusion Reactions and Therapy

Blood units are supplied by the Blood Transfusion Centre, which is regulated by the Belgian Law dated 5th July 1994, pertaining to blood and derivates of blood of human origin in addition the European guide to "qualification assurance of blood donation and preparation use" is strictly followed (edition of 8th January 2002 under code R 9515).

Articles 8 & 4 of the Belgian law state that blood must be screened for hepatitis B and C, HIV, syphilis and anti HBc antibodies.

Make a Booking Today - Click Here - to Complete the Online Pre Surgery Questionnaire.

What steps are taken to prevent blood clots (thrombosis)

The hospital will administer a low weight heparin 'B' to prevent thrombosis. You may also receive some of these drugs to take home with you.

Yes this is quite safe and as you are receiving low weight heparin 'B' to prevent thrombosis there should be less risk of thrombosis than usual.

What type of Anaesthesia is used?

Where possible patients receive epidural anaesthesia, the anaesthetist will discuss the type of anaesthesia used prior to surgery if you have a preference please state this to the anaesthetists or surgeon.

If this method is appropriate for you, you will first be sedated through the IV in the pre-op area. This relaxes you and minimizes the discomfort of the initial epidural procedure. With epidural anaesthesia, a narrow catheter is placed between two bones of your spine. A controlled flow of anaesthetic goes through the narrow catheter, anaesthetising your body from the abdomen down so you will not feel anything during surgery.

If you are undergoing general anaesthesia, you will first be put to sleep by IV medication. A mask or a breathing tube then gives an anaesthetic gas with is monitored by the anaesthetist.

The hospital has a fully functioning 24 - hour accident & emergency department, paramedics, and fully equipped intensive care unit. Response time for a doctor to be at bedside day or night is under 2 minutes.How long will I stay in Intensive care?

Usually less than 1 day however if you have any history of heart problems are overweight or have other risk factors we may keep you in intensive care for a longer period, this is a perfectly normal procedure.

Providing the length of stay in intensive care is just a couple of days there is no additional cost.

The surgeon prefers Zimmer orthopaedics prosthesis.

He considers Zimmer to be the leading and most experienced manufacturer of prosthesis, its advanced technical capacity means that it produces some of the best and most durable prosthesis on the market today. At DHI's request the hospital are asked to fit not only the best product available, and one that has a number of years succesful track record.

These prosthesis are very durable and should last 20 to 25 years.

In hip and knee replacement we always try to work with cement-less unless the indications are for cemented i.e. the bone structure is week etc.

The reason for not using cement is that the tough alloy used in the construction of the prosthesis is both porous and rough (on the outside) where it meets the bone, this enables the bone to grow and fix itself to the prosthesis (like the barnacles on the hull of a ship). After a short while the bone grows over the prosthesis and the two become firmly fixed together. With cement there is always a possibility of the cement breaking down or working loose.

Zimmer: www.zimmer.co.uk

Brochures can be downloaded from our Download Page.

Yes in addition to the morning physiotherapy sessions in the afternoon you may be placed on a CPM machine.

Make a Booking Today - Click Here - to Complete the Online Pre Surgery Questionnaire.

Phone calls, accommodation for friends or family.

Yes we have many please contact us at the office and we will provide some details.

Yes we can arrange for you to be taken by wheelchair through the airport if you choose to fly and wheelchair assistance on €tar if needed. We would recommend wheelchair assistance if you have any mobility problems. Please ensure that we are informed at the office so that we can best assist you.

How long is the duration of stay?

Durations of stay are as follows:

• Hip resurfacing - 11 days
  
• Hip replacement - 11 days
  
• Knee replacement - 13 days
  
• Hip or knee revisions - 16 days

Yes, there is an additional 7 days stay available. We recommend the addition period of stay for women over 75 and men over 80 or if there are any mobility problems. The extra week includes full physiotherapy and enables the patient to recover more fully before returning home.

Just call us (+44 (0) 207 193 4346) and let us know that you wish to proceed, together with you we set a target date then you confirm your travel arrangements with us. We then dispatch a confirmation letter, and a manual explaining the surgery.