Consultants

Qualifications:

MB ChB, FRCS (England), FRCS, Ed (Gen Surg)

Special Interests:

Hernia, laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery, thyroid surgery, gall bladder surgery

Biography

Mr Al-Dabbagh started working as a Consultant General Surgeon at Trafford General Hospital in January 2002, having completed higher general surgical training in the Yorkshire region. His main interest is in hernia surgery, particularly inguinal hernia. He published an original paper in 2002 in the journal of Surgical and Radiological Anatomy about the anatomical variations of the sensory nerves during inguinal hernia surgery and how best to avoid damaging them during surgery. Mr Al-Dabbagh has shifted to the keyhole method of repairing most inguinal hernias (the laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal method), which he believes is the gold standard method of repair. This is also done largely as a day surgery procedure. Having visited several GP practices in 2006, Mr Al-Dabbagh implemented for the first time in Trafford General Hospital, a pathway protocol of same-day discharge of patients following keyhole (laparoscopic) removal of the gall bladder. Trafford General Hospital has been very successful in achieving a high percentage of same-day discharge after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The figure since 2008 has consistently been above the national standard of 70%. Mr Al-Dabbagh has recently published his experience on more than 700 cholecystectomies at Trafford General in the ‘Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques’. Mr Al-Dabbagh also regularly performs all types of surgery for thyroid swellings, including thyroid cancer. He is a member of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) for management of thyroid cancer at the Christie Hospital. Outpatient clinics are run at Trafford General and Altrincham General. Secretary: Janet Potter on 0161 746 2387 amir.al-dabbagh@mft.nhs.uk