Clinical writing from the practice.
Notes on surgical technique, patient education and news from Dr Marais.
7 October 2026
Our new consulting rooms at Visiomed Office Park — coming early 2027
Dr Pieter Marais is moving his consulting rooms a short distance up Beyers Naudé Drive to Building III, Visiomed Office Park. Current appointments are unchanged until the new rooms open.
28 September 2026
Removing an adrenal tumour through the back — keyhole surgery that never enters the abdomen
Dr Pieter Marais performs adrenal gland removal by two keyhole routes: the usual one through the abdomen, and a posterior retroperitoneoscopic route that reaches the gland from the back without entering the abdominal cavity. Here is what that means for patients, and when each route is the right choice.
4 September 2026
Antibiotics instead of surgery for appendicitis: a second opinion
New international guidelines say antibiotics alone can treat uncomplicated appendicitis. Dr Pieter Marais explains why, in South African practice, that option is being oversold.
16 August 2026
Modern haemorrhoid procedures: HAL/RAR, laser and stapled (PPH) explained
A plain-language guide to newer, less painful haemorrhoid procedures — Doppler-guided HAL/RAR, laser haemorrhoidoplasty, and stapled PPH surgery.
15 July 2026
The da Vinci robotic system: what it is, how it works, and why it matters for patients
Dr Pieter Marais explains the da Vinci surgical robot in plain language — what it looks like, how the wristed instruments work, and what robotic-assisted surgery means for your recovery.
15 July 2026
Gallbladder surgery: what to expect before, during, and after
What actually happens with a laparoscopic cholecystectomy — preparation, the operation, the first week at home, when you can drive and work, and life without a gallbladder.
15 July 2026
Piles (haemorrhoids): symptoms, causes, and when surgery helps
A plain-language guide to piles — what causes them, when to see a surgeon, and which treatments actually work, from in-rooms banding to haemorrhoidectomy.
10 July 2026
Laparoscopic surgery: improving patient outcomes
How keyhole and robotic techniques are changing recovery — written for patients and for referring doctors.
10 July 2026
Keyhole surgery: what it means for you, in plain language
What keyhole surgery actually feels like — pain, recovery, going home, getting back to work — explained by Dr Pieter Marais.