About Us
About Dr Choy
Dr Ian Choy is a General and Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgeon at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. He completed a bachelor of Engineering Physics at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. He then went on to obtain his Medical Degree at McMaster University after which he started his residency in General Surgery at the University of Toronto.
During his residency, Dr Choy completed the Surgeon Scientist Program and obtained a Master in Education at the University of Toronto Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. He was also a research fellow at the Wilson Centre at the University Health Network, with a research focus on developing laparoscopic surgery programs in low-middle income countries. He has worked extensively throughout Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ghana.
Dr. Choy then went to Sydney, Australia where he obtained subspecialty training in the field of Colorectal Surgery at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. During this program he advanced his skills in the management of colorectal oncology, laparoscopic and minimally invasive colorectal surgery, and the management of complex benign colorectal diseases.
Dr. Choy currently has privileges to operate at Oakville Trafalgar Hospital. He is also the physician lead of the Colorectal Diagnostic Assessment Program (CR DAP), surgical lead of the Peritoneal Dialysis Program, and is an Adjunct Professor at McMaster University where he is involved in teaching surgical residents and fellows.
About Dr de Montbrun
Dr. Sandra de Montbrun is a General and Colorectal Surgeon at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. Dr. de Montbrun completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Waterloo and Medical School at the University of Toronto. Following this she completed her General Surgery at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
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Dr. de Montbrun then completed a fellowship in colorectal surgery at the University of Toronto with a focus on colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. During her fellowship she earned a Master’s in Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. She was also a fellow at the Wilson Centre at the University Health Network. Her research focused on using simulation to develop platforms to assess the technical competence of surgical trainees.
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Dr. de Montbrun was appointed Assistant Professor of Surgery and Surgeon Scientist at the University of Toronto from 2012 until 2019. During this time she completed her PhD at the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Toronto. She also worked closely with the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgery and the American College of Surgeons leading two major committees in developing tools to assess technical competence of surgical trainees. She built a busy colorectal surgery practice at St. Michael’s Hospital, focusing on both complex colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) including crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
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Dr. de Montbrun has moved her practice to Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital bringing her expertise to serve the community in the management of colorectal disease including: colon cancer, rectal cancer, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticular disease, and perianal disease (hemorrhoids, perianal fistulas, anal fissure). She now calls the beautiful city of Oakville her home, with her husband, and two daughters.
What We Do
Open/Laparoscopic Colectomy
This operation aims to remove a diseased portion of the bowel usually without the need for a stoma (bag). Colectomy is recommended for certain bowel cancers, and for other diseases of the colon such as diverticular disease and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis).
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It can be performed both through a traditional open incision, or by laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. When possible, laparoscopic surgery is preferred as it provides the benefits of smaller incisions, fewer complications, and faster recovery.
Open/Laparoscopic Anterior Resection & TaTME
This operation is for cancers of the rectum and some cancers of the sigmoid colon. The same operation is also performed for some non cancerous bowel conditions.
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It can be performed both through a traditional open incision, or by laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. When possible, laparoscopic surgery is preferred as it provides the benefits of smaller incisions, fewer complications, and faster recovery.
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A newer technique called a Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (TaTME) can also be used. It is also a minimally invasive technique that allows us to preserve the anus, and thus avoid a permanent stoma bag, for very low tumours.
Anal Fistula
A fistula is an abnormal connection between the anus and the skin. On the surface of the skin around the anus there may be one or more holes evident: these are the external openings of thin passages which tunnel down towards the anal canal. A fistula is usually the result of a previous abscess in the area which has been drained but does not fully heal. This results in persistent or intermittent discharge of pus, blood or mucus. There is not usually much pain, although an abscess can sometimes recur.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
This is an operation to remove the gall bladder using key-hole surgical techniques. The gallbladder is being removed because it is either giving you pain due to gallstones, or you have a small growth within the gallbladder. These small stones form in the gallbladder and can cause a range of problems including pain, jaundice, infection and pancreatitis. Gallstones are very common but do not always cause symptoms. Gallstones that are not causing trouble can usually be left alone.
Inguinal Hernia
An inguinal hernia is an abnormal protrusion through the abdominal wall into the groin. The protrusion contains a cavity (the hernial sac) which can be empty or it can fill with abdominal contents such as bowel. Typically, hernias are more obvious when standing or straining (such as coughing, heavy lifting and digging) as this forces bowel into the sac. Hernias usually develop over time for no obvious reason, although in some people there may be an inborn weakness in the abdominal wall. Occasionally a strenuous activity will cause a lump to appear suddenly. They may occur at any age and are more common in men than women.
Hernias may simply present as a painless bulge that enlarges with standing or coughing. Commonly though they cause an aching discomfort or a dragging sensation. Occasionally a piece of bowel or fat can get stuck and twisted within the hernia. This is very painful and can lead to a strangulated hernia which is a life-threatening emergency. It is generally recommended, therefore, that symptomatic hernias be repaired to prevent such complications arising and also help with the symptoms.
Umbilical Hernia
A paraumbilical hernia is an abnormal protrusion through the abdominal wall around the umbilicus (belly button). The protrusion contains a small sac of abdominal lining which can be empty or it can fill with abdominal contents such as bowel. Typically, hernias are more obvious when standing or straining (for example, coughing, heavy lifting and digging) as this forces bowel into the sac.
Hernias usually develop over time for no obvious reason, although in some people there may be an inborn weakness in the abdominal wall. Occasionally a strenuous activity will cause a lump to appear suddenly. They may occur at any age and are more common in men than women. Paraumbilical hernias are more common in patients who are overweight.
Hernias may simply present as a painless bulge that enlarges with standing or coughing. Commonly though they cause an aching discomfort or a dragging sensation. Occasionally a piece of bowel or fat can get stuck and twisted within the hernia. This is very painful and can lead to a strangulated hernia which is a life-threatening emergency. It is generally recommended, therefore, that hernias be repaired to prevent such complications arising.
Ileal Pouch Procedure
Ileal Pouch procedures are used for patients that require the removal of their entire colon for issues such as Ulcerative Colitis or Polyposis syndromes. This procedure uses the small intestine to "create" a new rectum so that patients do not require a permanent ostomy.
Rectal Prolapse Repair
Procedures to repair rectal prolapse are broadly divided into trans-abdominal procedures and trans-perineal procedures. Trans-abdominal procedures include laparoscopic rectopexies and resection rectopexies, where the rectum is fixed to the sacrum using sutures.
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Perineal procedures include the Delorme procedure where the inner lining of the rectum is resected and the rectum is sutured together like an "accordion", and the Altmeier procedure where the entirety of the prolapsed rectum is resected, and the remaining rectum and anus is re-attached using sutures.
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Each of these procedures have their own individual risks and benefits. Please speak with one of our surgeons to help determine which of these options would be most appropriate for you.
Hemorrhoid Banding & Excision
Treatment of hemorrhoids involves a multimodal approach of both dietary and medical management, along with more invasive procedures such as banding and surgery. These treatments work best when used in conjunction with each other.
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Please speak with one of our surgeons to develop a treatment plan specific to your individual symptoms.