LapSurgery Australia was established in 1984 by the two senior partners, Ray McHenry and Richard Gilhome. At that time the suburb was known as Dandenong North, in Melbourne’s South Eastern suburbs. Today we are still situated in the same place, but the area is now called Mulgrave and the business has expanded to a five-partner practice.

The Mulgrave rooms remain the business centre of the practice, however each of the surgeons consults at a number of other sites and also operate at various public and private hospitals in the region.

The practice offers a prompt referral service for patients who may need urgent consultation or review. During the week there is usually one of the surgeons at the clinic available for consultation.

The surgeons offer a diverse range of services, practicing general surgery as well as having their individual sub-specialties. They are unique in that they frequently cooperate and assist each other with more complicated cases advocating a team approach to patient care and thus providing an optimal service including 24 hour 365 day per year cover for our patients and referring general practitioners.

In order to provide optimal services, the partners at LapSurgery Australia undertake extensive continuing medical education, regularly sourcing the latest technologies and trends overseas then incorporating these new ideas into the practice on return to Australia.

LapSurgery Australia pioneered the introduction of advanced laparoscopic surgery in our area with laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 1990. Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery greatly reduces pain and the time taken to resume normal activities after surgery. Since then we have introduced to our area the operations of laparoscopic hiatus hernia (gastric reflux) surgery, laparoscopic appendicectomy, the latest proven laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery and "keyhole" surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. More specialised advanced laparoscopic procedures for treatment of severe obesity (laparoscopic gastric banding), hyperhidrosis (sweaty palms and facial flushing), laparoscopic removal of the spleen and laparoscopic removal of the adrenal gland are also available. Many of these operations are exclusive to LapSurgery Australia in our area.

Exciting new developments being introduced presently include laparoscopic surgery for diseases of the large bowel and a new high-tech procedure for treating haemorrhoids promising much less pain than conventional operations. New procedures for treating lymph nodes in breast cancer and melanoma will be available to reduce the extent of surgery needed for these very serious conditions.

As well as these exciting revolutions, LapSurgery Australia remains at the forefront of conventional surgery with individual members of the practice offering advanced sub-specialty expertise in hepato-biliary disease, pancreatic disease, breast and endocrine diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, colorectal and anorectal problems including faecal incontinence.

The Partners

Ray graduated in medicine from Monash University. He trained at the Alfred Hospital in surgery and gained his Australian Fellowship in surgery in 1979. He pursued further training in the United Kingdom and returned to Australia in 1981. He has worked in the Dandenong area since then, forming LapSurgery Australia in 1984. He is currently Chief Executive Officer of LapSurgery Australia.

His major interests in surgery are colo-rectal surgery, colonoscopy and advanced laparoscopic surgery. Ray recently completed a Master of Science degree in Health Policy and Administration concentrating on the issue of quality management as applied to medicine.

Ray operates at The Valley Private Hospital.

Richard graduated in medicine from Monash University. After completion of training at the Alfred Hospital he commenced a two-year postgraduate course in gastrointestinal surgery in Aberdeen Scotland, and in a specialist breast cancer unit at the Welsh National School of Medicine.

He gained his Australian Fellowship in surgery in 1983. On his return to Australia in 1984 he formed LapSurgery Australia with Ray McHenry.
Richard has major interests in laparoscopic minimal access surgery of the abdomen.

Richard operates at Knox Private Hospital and The Valley Private Hospital.

Chris graduated in surgery from Monash University after which he undertook specialisation in the United Kingdom in advanced laparoscopic surgery. He gained his Australian Fellowship in surgery in 1994. Chris is a senior lecturer at Monash University Department of Surgery, involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and clinical research. He joined LapSurgery Australia in 1998.

Chris has particular interests in advanced minimal access surgery (laparoscopic surgery), general surgery as well as upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Chris operates at The Valley Private Hospital, Knox Private Hospital and Dandenong Hospital.