Consultant surgeon · Western Sydney
Professor Toufic
El-Khoury
Consultant in general, colorectal and laparoscopic surgery, with a special interest in minimally invasive surgery, inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Consulting at Bella Vista, Castle Hill and Westmead since 2007.
Background
Trained at Westmead, Royal Prince Alfred and Leeds
Professor El-Khoury completed his training in general surgery at Westmead Hospital in 2007, and was awarded the Mitchell J Notaras Fellowship in Colorectal Surgery for three consecutive years by the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand together with the University of Sydney.
In 2008 he completed a year of full time research at the Surgical Outcome Research Centre and obtained his Masters of Surgery from the University of Sydney in 2009, with a thesis on the role of sentinel node biopsy in the surgical management of rectal cancer. His advanced clinical training was completed at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney and the John Goligher Colorectal Unit in the United Kingdom.
- MBBSBachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of SurgeryUniversity of Sydney
- FRACSFellow of the Royal Australasian College of SurgeonsRoyal Australasian College of Surgeons
- MSMasters of Surgery, ColorectalUniversity of Sydney
- CSSANZMember, Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand
- TeachingProfessor, School of MedicineUniversity of Sydney
- TeachingProfessor, School of MedicineUniversity of Notre Dame
Minimally invasive surgery
Keyhole where it is possible, open where it is right
Laparoscopic technique usually means less pain, a shorter stay and a faster return to normal life. It is not always the safer choice, and Professor El-Khoury will tell you plainly when it is not.
Conditions & procedures
Understanding what you have been referred for
Most people arrive knowing where the problem is rather than what it is called. Start with the area of the body, and work towards the procedure from there.
Oesophagus & stomach
Reflux, ulcers, unexplained upper abdominal pain and bleeding, assessed by direct camera examination under sedation.
- Gastroscopy
Gallbladder
Gallstones and their complications, treated with keyhole removal of the gallbladder in most cases.
- Gall bladder surgery
Small bowel
Crohn's disease, obstruction, bleeding and tumours affecting the twenty-five feet of intestine that does most of your digestion.
- Surgery for small bowel disease
Colon & rectum
Bowel cancer, polyps, diverticular disease and inflammatory bowel disease. This is the centre of Professor El-Khoury's practice.
- Surgery for bowel cancer
- Colonoscopy
- Surgery for large bowel disease
- Multidisciplinary care for cancer
- Inflammatory bowel disease care
Anus & perineum
Haemorrhoids, fissures, fistulas and pilonidal sinus. Common, treatable, and worth seeing someone about early.
- Haemorrhoid excision
- Rubber band ligation
- Fistula surgery
- Surgery for anal fissure
- Pilonidal sinus
Abdominal wall
Inguinal, ventral and incisional hernias, repaired open or laparoscopically depending on the defect.
- Inguinal and ventral hernia repair
- Incisional hernia repair
Your visit
From referral to follow up
Four steps, in the order they happen.
Get a referral
Ask your GP for a referral. It is what makes you eligible for the Medicare rebate, and it gives Professor El-Khoury your history before you arrive.
Phone the rooms
One number covers Bella Vista, Castle Hill and Westmead. Reception will offer you the earliest suitable appointment across the three.
Your consultation
Professor El-Khoury examines you, explains what he thinks is going on, and arranges any tests needed. If an operation is recommended he covers why, the risks, the benefits, and the alternatives.
Procedure and follow up
Surgery is performed at Norwest Private, Westmead Private, Westmead, Auburn or Mount Druitt. You are reviewed in the rooms afterwards, and stomal therapy nurses stay contactable if you need them.
Rooms
Three locations, one phone number
Consulting rooms across the Hills district and Westmead. Operating at Norwest Private, Westmead Private, Westmead, Auburn and Mount Druitt.
Suite G12, 9 Norbrik Drive
Bella Vista NSW 2153
Suite 2, 58 Cecil Avenue
Castle Hill NSW 2154
Level 2, 16 to 18 Mons Road
Westmead NSW 2145
Questions
Asked often, answered here
Why do I need a GP referral?
A current GP referral is what allows you to claim the Medicare rebate for your visit. Payment is required in full on the day, and part of that can then be claimed back from Medicare provided the referral is current. Your GP will write one on request.
How do I make an appointment?
Phone the rooms on (02) 9687 0900. All appointments across the Bella Vista, Castle Hill and Westmead rooms are booked through the one number, and all correspondence should be addressed to the Bella Vista rooms.
What should I bring to the first consultation?
Bring your GP referral, your Medicare card, any private health fund details, a list of your current medications, and any recent scans, colonoscopy reports or blood results. If the images are on a disc or an online portal, bring the access details.
Can I catch bowel cancer?
No. Bowel cancer is not contagious. People with a family history are more likely to develop it than people without one, but that is inherited risk, not transmission. You cannot pass it on and you cannot catch it from anybody.
Is it possible to have blood in your stool but not have bowel cancer?
Yes, and it is quite common. Rectal bleeding has many causes other than cancer. But blood in or on the stool is never normal and should not be ignored. See your doctor promptly so the cause can be identified.