Ask a General Surgeon: Dr Kam Ming Hian from Farrer Park Hospital Singapore

Ask a Doctor Forum › Category: General Surgery › Ask a General Surgeon: Dr Kam Ming Hian from Farrer Park Hospital Singapore

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Dr Kam Ming Hian asked 2 years ago

I am Dr Kam Ming Hian, General Surgeon based in Farrer Park Hospital Singapore. Ask Me Anything! I graduated from the National University of Singapore in 1998. I obtained my Master of Medicine in Surgery in 2003 and started my advanced surgical training at Singapore General Hospital. I completed my training in 2006 and was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh and a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore in 2007. I received advanced training in the surgical treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Edinburgh, UK (2004-2005) and in 2008, I was conferred the SingHealth HMDP award to further my skills in advanced laparoscopic colorectal surgery at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. I was promoted to Consultant in 2009. My last held position was as Senior Consultant in the Department of Colorectal Surgery, Singapore General Hospital. I have a keen interest in minimally invasive colorectal surgery, including Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Surgery, Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery as well as Robotic-assisted Surgery. I was appointed as Director of Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgery in 2012 and is among one of the few surgeons in Singapore accredited to perform Robotic Colorectal Surgery. I have since conducted numerous advanced laparoscopic workshops, to train both local and international surgeons. I have also been invited to speak at various international conferences on topics related to Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery. Having performed thousands of gastroscopy and colonoscopy procedures, I also conducted regular endoscopy training courses with the use of simulation machines, in my role as Endoscopy Platform Director, SGH Surgical Skills Centre. Since 2013, as Deputy Director, Surgical Skills and Simulation Centre, SingHealth-Duke NUS, I oversaw the development of the surgical skills training curriculum across multiple platforms. I have published numerous research papers in local and international peer-reviewed journals and contributed academic chapters in surgical textbooks. With an interest in piles surgery and prevention of colorectal cancer, I have published several articles on stapled haemorrhoidectomy and screening for colorectal cancer. I was appointed Director of Clinical Research in 2009 and continue to be a reviewer for the Singapore Medical Journal. I was also active in academic teaching and held the positions of Assistant Professor with the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, as well as Clinical Senior Lecturer with the National University of Singapore. Learn more about me here: https://patients.smarterhealth.sg/specialist-doctor/kam-ming-hian/ I am excited to be here to share/discuss Colorectal Health with everyone. I will be actively answering questions. Whether you've got questions about laparoscopic colorectal surgery, robotic colorectal surgery, colonoscopies, endoscopies, gastroscopies, or piles surgery, ask me anything! === Want to ask a question? Submit your question at the bottom of this page. Don’t forget to include your name and email address to get notified when the doctor answers your question.

18 Answers

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Lynn Tay answered 2 years ago

Hi Glad to find you here. I have been comtemplating for years whether to remove my piles. I had been doing some reading up and I believe I am having both internal and external piles. I have yet to seek consultation for confirmation on this. Meanwhile, I would like to know if in the event that I do have both internal and external piles, do I require multiple surgeries or it can be done at one time. Also, what is the estimate cost of surgery(s). Thank you. Regards Lynn

Dr Kam Ming Hian replied 2 years ago

Hi Lynn,

Thanks for your question.

We can certainly remove both internal and external piles at the same time.
It is usually only one surgery that needs to be done.

I would suggest a clinic consultation first, so that an examination can be performed, and the best treatment tailored for your condition.

Best regards,
Dr Kam

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Hairul answered 2 years ago

I have been experiencing constipation since 4 days ago. Yesterday, the constipation finally ended but I saw dark blood in my stools. There is also a slight burning sensation in my lower abdomen. Do I need to undergo an examination for this condition?

Dr Kam Ming Hian replied 2 years ago

Constipation is common but distressing. It is good that it has ended. However, dark blood in your stool is not normal. If there is also discomfort in your lower abdomen, I would suggest a medical consultation. It is likely that you will need a colonoscopy to look for the cause of the bleeding.

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Grant answered 2 years ago

I had abdominal pain for a week but it has since gone, but off late i have been constipated and burning sensation in my lower abdomen. What could it probably be?

Dr Kam Ming Hian replied 2 years ago

It is good that your abdominal pain has resolved. We would be concerned if this was persistent and lasted more than 2 weeks. Constipation may be improved by drinking more water (at least 2L per day). However, if your constipation and lower abdominal burning sensation persists for more than 2 weeks, you should consult with a doctor for a physical examination

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Sherine answered 2 years ago

My husband has recurring bleeding piles. He had surgery for it two years ago. Is it okay for him to undergo another surgery now?

Dr Kam Ming Hian replied 2 years ago

Yes, it is safe to undergo another surgery performed by an experienced surgeon. The real question is whether he needs surgery, and if so, which surgery is most appropriate for him? The danger of multiple anal surgeries is stricture formation, where the anal opening becomes smaller and it is more difficult to pass motion. There is also a risk of incontinence if too much of the anus muscle is removed. He should be assessed by a specialist experienced in recurrent haemorrhoid surgery.

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Nelson answered 2 years ago

How is anal abscess effectively treated? It has been itching and painful and I feel uncomfortable with it.

Dr Kam Ming Hian replied 2 years ago

An anal abscess is best treated with surgical drainage. Occasionally, there is a concomitant anal fistula (a tunnel tract leading from the abscess into the anus). This should be removed or treated at the same time. It would be best to consult with a Colorectal Surgeon, and the necessary treatment undertaken sooner rather than later.

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Wai Cheong answered 2 years ago

My wife had an anal fistula surgery last year. This week she has been complaining about feeling pain when she’s on the toilet and having a burning sensation. Her bowels are also very hard in texture. Is this due to constipation? Or could it be that her anal fistula has returned?

Dr Kam Ming Hian replied 2 years ago

Stool which is hard in texture is a sign of constipation. This may improve with a higher intake of water. However, pain and a burning sensation when moving her bowels is not normal. She should consult with a doctor and undergo an examination of the anal region to look for the source of her symptoms and to exclude a recurrence of the fistula.

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Sueann answered 2 years ago

It’s been three months since my husband went for hernia mesh surgery. He still complains about feeling pain in his lower abdomen when he strains in the toilet. Is the pain normal considering it’s been 3 months since the surgery?

Dr Kam Ming Hian replied 2 years ago

At 3 months after mesh repair of a hernia, it would be unusual to still have pain at the wound site. Having said that, it is advisable that your husband should not strain in the toilet as this will stress the repair and predispose to a recurrent hernia. It might be good to seek advice from the surgeon who operated on him, as the doctor will be most familiar with your husband’s condition.

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Derek answered 2 years ago

After the removal of his colon tumor, my father’s bowel habits have been more watery than usual. It has been like that for a month already. Is this a normal post-surgery reaction or a condition that needs to be examined separately?

Dr Kam Ming Hian replied 2 years ago

It is usual for bowel habits to change in the weeks after a colon surgery. However, if this continues to bother him, it would be best to consult with the surgeon who did the operation as he/she will be most familiar with your father’s condition.

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Calvin answered 2 years ago

My wife is 27 years old and is currently 5 months pregnant. She is having bleeding hemorrhoids. Is it safe for her to undergo surgery when pregnant?

Dr Kam Ming Hian replied 2 years ago

Surgery for haemorrhoids should ideally be delayed till after delivery of the baby. There is a risk of pre-term labour during pregnancy. Most of the time, bleeding haemorrhoids can be successfully treated with medications and ointments during pregnancy.

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Andie answered 2 years ago

I have been having constipation since a week ago. Other than that, I also have stomach pain When I do pass motion, my stools are slightly whitish. What condition is this?

Dr Kam Ming Hian replied 2 years ago

It is difficult to tell just based on the description of your symptoms. I would suggest a clinic consultation and physical examination to diagnose the problem, especially if it is persistent.

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