Programs & Services
Surgical Services
Listing of Surgical Services
Click on a link below to learn more about the surgeries performed at Trillium:
- Acute Pain Service
- Anesthesiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- General Surgery (adult and paediatric)
- Neurosurgery
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Ophthalmology
- Oral and Maxilofacial (adult and paediatric)
- Orthopaedics (including spine surgery)
- Otolaryngology (adult and paediatric)
- Plastic Surgery (adult and paediatric)
- Urology Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
Acute Pain Service
Acute Pain Service (APS) is a team of Anesthesiologists and Registered Nurses, who are specialized in acute pain management. APS provides expert pain management care for inpatients having moderate to severe pain or uncontrolled pain after their surgeries or traumatic injuries. The team assesses the patients and uses the most appropriate methods to achieve satisfactory pain relief. These treatments include: patient controlled analgesia (PCA), epidurals, regional nerve blocks and spinal analgesia.
Anesthesiology
The Mission of the Department of Anesthesiology is to provide the highest quality patient care. Aspiring to this goal is a team of skilled anesthesia professionals with different educational backgrounds and unique abilities who embrace collaborative, collegial, and complementary relationships.
Services
In addition to providing anesthesia for all surgical specialties, the Department participates in the work of the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Diagnostic Imaging, Birthing Suite, Surgical and Anesthesiology Consultation Clinics, and Acute Pain Service
The practice pattern for the Department reflects the requirements set by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Canadian Anesthesiologists’ Society, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.
The Department of Anesthesiology provides 24/7 in-house coverage to Trillium Health Centre.
Together with nursing, anesthesiologists facilitate organ harvesting.
Department members provide education and teaching to University of Toronto residents, medical students, and advanced anesthesia assistants.
The Department has expertise in:
- AICD Implants
- Percutaneous Tracheostomies
- Echo training in Cardiac
- Acute Pain Service
Goals
- To deliver first rate patient care in operating, labour and delivery rooms, post anesthetic and intensive care units, the interventional radiology theatre, and peri-operative activities (including pre-operative anesthesiology clinic and acute pain management).
- To provide consultant services for pre-operative and post-operative care.
- To coordinate a multidisciplinary approach in diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic pain disorders.
- To provide leadership and administrative support in organizing operating rooms, intensive care units, ambulatory surgery, transesophageal echocardiography service, consultation services, and interventional radiology suite.
- To determine methods to assess quality care assurance, develop programs to facilitate cost effectiveness, and enhance operating room efficiency.
Physician Members of the Department of Anesthesiology
Physician Chief and Medical Director of Peri-operative Services: Dr. C. Irish
- Dr. N. Baig
- Dr. L. Bartosik
- Dr. T. Chhina
- Dr. C. Chow
- Dr. M. Cooke
- Dr. R. Cramb
- Dr. C. Cruise
- Dr. A. Davidson
- Dr. T. Donnelly
- Dr. H. El Beheiry
- Dr. M. Ford
- Dr. M. Friedland
- Dr. M. Fuchs
- Dr. A. Green
- Dr. J. Grewal
- Dr. S. Hafez
- Dr. M. Hultzer
- Dr. E. Huang
- Dr. A. Joglekar
- Dr. S. Kathirgamanathan
- Dr. Z. Kassam
- Dr. R. Kumar
- Dr. C. Lyons
- Dr. K. Luk
- Dr. B. Nishimura
- Dr. M. Roche
- Dr. S. Sikka
- Dr. B. Steele
- Dr. N. Tanna
- Dr. B. Wong
- Dr. Z. Wojtasik
Cardiac Surgery
Cardiac surgery is surgery on the heart and/or great vessels performed by a cardiac surgeon. It includes operations such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), the replacement of diseased heart valves, and the repair of major blood. It is a branch of surgery that diagnoses and manages a patient with cardiovascular disease.
Physician Members of the Department of Cardiac Surgery
Physician Chief: Dr. Charles Cutrara
- Dr. S. Ahmed
- Dr. G. Bhatnager
- Dr. J. Noora
General Surgery
General Surgery includes surgery of the:
Abdomen: The term abdominal surgery broadly covers surgical procedures that involve opening the abdomen. Diseases affecting the abdominal cavity are dealt with generally under their own names such as appendicitis. Thee three most common abdominal surgeries are:
- Exploratory Laparotomy – This refers to the opening of the abdominal cavity for direct examination of its contents, for example, to locate a source of bleeding or trauma. It may or may not be followed by repair or removal of the primary problem.
- Appendectomy – Surgical opening of the abdominal cavity and removal of the appendix. Typically performed as definitive treatment for appendicitis, although sometimes the appendix is prophylactically removed incidental to another abdominal procedure.
- Laparoscopy – a minimally invasive approach to abdominal surgery where rigid tubes are inserted through small incisions into the abdominal cavity. The tubes allow introduction of a small camera, surgical instruments, and gases into the cavity for direct or indirect visualization and treatment of the abdomen. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to facilitate visualization and, often, a small video camera is used to show the procedure on a monitor in the operating room. The surgeon manipulates instruments within the abdominal cavity to perform procedures such as cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), the most common laparoscopic procedure. The laparoscopic method speeds recovery time and reduces blood loss and infection as compared to the traditional "open" cholecystectomy.
Bowel: A bowel resection is surgery to remove a diseased or cancerous segment of the intestine. This 20-foot-long tube coiled inside the abdomen runs from the stomach to the rectum. It's the part of the digestive system in which nutrients are absorbed and waste material is formed into stool.
To accomplish the resection, the doctor will make an incision in your abdomen over the part of the bowel to be removed. After the removal, the doctor may need to---at least temporarily---leave an opening to the intestine through the wall of the abdomen. Intestinal contents drain from this opening into a sealed pouch. The opening is known as a "stoma," and the operation to create it called an "ostomy." There are two types of ostomy:
- Ileostomy – This operation creates an opening to the small intestine (ileum) through the surface of the abdomen. Intestinal contents draining from this location are typically no thicker than toothpaste.
- Colostomy – This operation establishes an artificial outlet for the large intestine (colon). Waste draining from this opening will be soft or more formed depending on the part of the colon involved.
The entire procedure usually takes 1 to 4 hours, but may last longer.
Breast: Usually the first line of attack against breast cancer. Decisions about surgery depend on many factors. You and your doctor will determine the kind of surgery that is most appropriate for you based on the stage of the cancer, the "personality" of the cancer, and what is acceptable to you in terms of your long-term peace of mind.
Gallbladder: The gallbladder, an organ of the gastrointestinal system involved in the storage and concentration of bile, is shaped like a deflated balloon or pear, and lies on the surface of the right lobe of the liver.
One of the most common disorders of the gallbladder occurs when cholesterol mixes with bile and calcium, forming gallstones. Gallstones usually have to be removed surgically. In severe cases, the entire gallbladder must be removed.
Hernia: Occurs when part of an organ (usually the intestines) sticks through a weak point or tear in the thin muscular wall that holds the abdominal organs in place. ...
Liver: Liver surgery comprises various operations of the liver for different disorders. The most common operation performed on the liver is a resection (removal of a portion of the liver). The most typical indication for liver resection is a malignant tumor. Tumors can be primary (developed in the liver) or metastatic (developed in another organ, then migrated to the liver). The majority of liver metastases come from the colon.
Pancreas: Pancreatic surgery encompasses a wide variety of surgical procedures concerning the pancreas (a gland located behind the stomach just below the liver). Disorders of pancreas can be divided onto those caused by tumors (benign or malignant) and those caused by inflammation (acute or chronic).
The majority of surgical procedures performed on the pancreas involve resection (removal) of the portion that is involved in the disease process. A major pancreatic resection takes approximately 4-6 hours and in most cases is performed without blood transfusion. The post-operative hospital stay is about 7 days and complete recuperation time is expected in 6 weeks. In properly selected patients, excellent operative results and future quality of life are achieved.
Thoracic: surgery on the chest and lungs
Physician Members of the Department of General Surgery
Physician Chief: Dr. D. Mumford
- Dr. Karen Black (assist)
- Dr. O. Djoleto (thoracic)
- Dr. C. Cobourn
- Dr. P. Garzon (HPB)
- Dr. C. Gelder
- Dr. N. Hill
- Dr. M. Kapala
- Dr. A. Mohammed (thoracic)
- Dr. D. Munnings
- Dr. M. Padonou
- Dr. J. Wen
Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery is any surgery that involves the nervous system (brain or spinal cord or peripheral nerves.
Physician Members of the Department of Neurosurgery
Physician Chief: Dr. Eric Marmor
- Dr. E. Duncan
- Dr. D. Izukawa
- Dr. H. Li
- Dr. H. Schutz
- Dr. H. Smyth
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Gynaecology is surgery of the female reproductive system.
Physician Members of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Physician Chief: Dr. P. Scheufler
- Dr. T. Belej-Rak
- Dr. D. Bhangu
- Dr. V. Bonde
- Dr. C. Cowal
- Dr. M. Duemler
- Dr. R. Hakim
- Dr. P. Liao
- Dr. K. Prouse
- Dr. K. Rogers
- Dr. M. Rosset
- Dr. R. Stein
- Dr. R. Thurairajah
Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology is any surgery of the eyes.
The Ophthalmology Division at Trillium Health Center hosts seven full-time eye surgeons. Most patients with eye problems are treated as outpatients through the Surgicentre and Surgical Clinic at Trillium West Toronto.
While the most common procedure performed is cataract surgery, we also do laser and surgical treatments for glaucoma and variety of minor eye and eyelid procedures.
The Surgical Clinic also houses a diagnostic service where ultrasound and visual field testing are performed.
Physician Members of the Department of Ophthalmology
Physician Chief: Dr. E. Mednick
- Dr. R. Daily
- Dr. R. Kelly
- Dr. A. Seetner
- Dr. D. Smith
- Dr. D. Smythe
- Dr. J. A. Spencer
Oral & Maxillofacial
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is surgery of the teeth, face, and jaw.
Physician Members of the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
Physician Chief: Dr. B. Kryshtalskyj
- Dr. J. Becker
- Dr. L. David
- Dr. T. Kertesz
- Dr. J. Becker
- Dr. L. David
- Dr. T. Kertesz
- Dr. T. Voutsas
- Dr. A. Wong
- Dr. J. Zosky
Orthopaedics
Orthopedics is surgery of the spine and joints; i.e. hips, knees, shoulders.
Physician Members of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Physician Chief: Dr. N. Clements (spinal & knee/hip arthroplasty)
- Dr. H. Cheah
- Dr. D. DiPasquale
- Dr. T. Getahun
- Dr. R. McBroom (spinal)
- Dr. R. Saplys
- Dr. V Sennik
- Dr. J. Stewart
- Dr. D. Wilson (spinal)
Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology or ENT is surgery of the ears, nose, and throat.
Physician Members of the Department of Otolaryngology
Physician Chief: Dr. F. de Souza
- Dr. Y. Chan
- Dr. J. Mendelsohn
- Dr. K. Nazarali
- Dr. A. Toth
- Dr. S. Vojvodich
Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is reconstructive surgery, hand surgery, cosmetic surgery, and facial surgery.
Physician Members of the Department of Plastic Surgery
Physician Chief: Dr. M. Weinberg
- Dr. C. Goldberg
- Dr. F. Lista
- Dr. Z. Margaliot
- Dr. H. McLean
- Dr. M. Rebot
- Dr. M. Roach
Urology Surgery
Urology is surgery of the kidneys, bladder, urinary tract, and male reproductive system.
Physician Members of the Department of Urology
Physician Chief: Dr. S. Skeldon
- Dr. T. Carnat
- Dr. J. Dagnone
- Dr. G. McIsaac
Vascular Surgery
Surgery of the abdominal, thoracic, and peripheral arterial and venous systems to treat, repair, or reconstruct the vascular system (blood vessels and lymphatic’s). Examples include varicose veins, venous disease, non-healing ulcers, clogged arteries, and leg pain.
Physician Members of the Department of Vascular Surgery
Physician Chief: Dr. M. Pope
- Dr. J. Miles
- Dr. R. O’Connor
- Dr. I. Vucemilo
- Dr. J. Orr
- Dr. C. Werneck

