ABOUT
Dr Johan Aikman is a specialist general surgeon who performs open and laparoscopic procedures to treat a range of conditions at his practice based in Pretoria East. He performs advanced surgeries to treat an infected appendix, repair hernias, and remove a diseased thyroid and breast tissue for biopsy. Dr Aikman carries out less invasive endoscopic procedures to resolve digestive diseases. He also performs minor excisions to remove soft tissue lesions.
Dr Johan Aikman attained his BSc degree in Medical Sciences from the University of Pretoria and completed his Honours degree in Anatomy with distinction. He holds an MBChB from the University of the Free State and has qualifications in obstetrical emergencies, surgery and life support. Dr Aikman has his Masters in Medicine and is a Fellow of the College of Surgeons through the College of Medicine of South Africa. Trauma surgery, hernia repair and surgical emergencies are Dr Aikman’s specialities.
Services includes :
- Appendectomy
An appendectomy is the surgical dissection of an infected appendix. The appendix is a long rope-like piece of tissue that stores beneficial bacteria and reboots the digestive system after an illness. Although the appendix is essential, when it becomes infected, it needs to be removed before it ruptures. When the appendix ruptures, harmful bacteria enter the abdominal cavity, and the infection spreads to other regions of the body. Dr Aikman performs both open and laparoscopic surgery to treat appendicitis. Laparoscopic appendectomy involves a faster recovery than traditional surgery. - Cholecystectomy
A cholecystectomy is the surgical extraction of an inflamed gallbladder. The gallbladder is a tiny organ that stores bile and assists with digestion. Gallstones arise when there are excessive amounts of cholesterol in the bile. The build-up of gallstones affects the gallbladder. Gallbladder pain, dark-coloured urine, nausea and abdominal pain are all signs of gallstones. Dr Aikman performs an open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy to remove an infected gallbladder. He uses images from an x-ray or ultrasound to carefully extract the gallbladder. - Thyroid surgery
The thyroid is a bowtie-like gland that rests at the stem of the neck and secretes essential hormones. These hormones regulate metabolism, weight, body temperature and neurological development. When the thyroid swells and causes goitre, it secretes too much of the thyroid hormone, thyroxine. Hyperthyroidism causes heart palpitations, muscle fatigue, anxiety and lethargy. When the thyroid gland starts to swell or becomes painful, it must be removed. Dr Aikman performs a thyroidectomy to remove a portion of the thyroid gland. - Hernia repair
A hernia occurs when some tissue seeps through a weak area in the muscular wall. A noticeable bulge that is painful when one coughs or bends down is a sign of a hernia. Hernias occur as a result of strain, muscle weakness or from a fluid that accumulates in the abdomen. When the hernia grows or causes pain, Dr Aikman performs hernia repair surgery to fix the break in the muscular wall. He pushes the tissue back in its cavity and uses a special mesh to reinforce the abdominal wall. - Endoscopy
Endoscopy is a less invasive procedure that’s used to diagnose and treat minor conditions. An endoscope is a slender, bendable tube that enters the body through the mouth or other openings. Endoscopy is carried out to view the gastrointestinal, respiratory, female reproductive and urinary tract in detail. One of the main reasons for an endoscopy is to find the underlying cause of sudden weight loss, a variation in bowel habits and traces of blood in the stool. Dr Aikman performs gastroscopy and colonoscopy to resolve digestive diseases. - Colon surgery
Colon surgery treats diverticular and inflammatory bowel diseases. Dr Aikman performs a colonoscopy to view the gastrointestinal tract adequately and remove tissue for biopsy. He also performs laparoscopic surgery to drain and sterilise abscesses to prevent infection. If minimally invasive surgery isn't an option, Dr Aikman carries out a laparotomy for partial or total colon resection. In some cases, a permanent colostomy bag is needed to substitute for the lack of a functional colon. If only a small piece of the colon has been removed, a temporary colostomy bag will suffice. - Lumpectomy & mastectomy
A lumpectomy and mastectomy inhibit the spread of breast cancer. A lumpectomy is the extraction of only a small portion of the breast and surrounding tissue. Sentinel lymph nodes are the first nodes to drain cancer. A sentinel lymph node biopsy determines whether cancer has metastasised. A mastectomy is the removal of a large amount of breast tissue, but of course, patients can opt for sparing procedures. Lymph nodes are also dissected to check if the disease has spread. - Excision of skin and soft tissue lesions
Non-cancerous lipomas are prevalent benign tissue lesions. Generally, a lipoma doesn't need to be removed unless one is concerned about its appearance. But, if it grows or becomes painful, then surgery is required. For deep excisions, Dr Aikman administers a general anaesthetic, but for shallow lesions, he uses a local anaesthetic. The surgeon uses a small scalpel to extract a margin of skin in conjunction with nearby healthy tissue. Dr Aikman sends the tissue sample to the laboratory for analysis; he may have to perform a second surgery to remove traces of the lesion entirely.
