Mr Rick Pretorius

Mr Rick Pretorius is a Consultant General Surgeon currently seeing patients at UPMC Aut Even. He completed his medical degree at the University of Orange Free State, South Africa in 2000, followed by his higher surgical training in general surgery at the same university. He obtained his Irish Medical Council Specialist Registration in 2012 and subsequently joined St Luke’s General Hospital, Kilkenny, in 2013.

During his time at St Luke’s Hospital, Mr Pretorius played an active role in improving quality and safety standards for surgical patients. He expanded the range of surgical options available, particularly focusing on enhancing and advancing laparoscopic surgery provision. Additionally, he actively contributed to the implementation of international surgical best practices.

Since 2015, Mr Pretorius has been affiliated with the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland and the University of Limerick, where he currently serves as an Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer. He delivers academic lectures and facilitates training courses on various topics, including advanced laparoscopic surgery, laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery, and complex abdominal wall reconstruction. Mr Pretorius is also engaged in research and has presented his findings at national and international conferences.

In his practice, Mr Pretorius offers a comprehensive range of general surgical services, including laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy, colonic surgery, minor surgical procedures, diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, and small bowel surgery. His special interests lie in complex abdominal wall reconstruction, umbilical/paraumbilical hernia repair, various types of hernia repair (inguinal, femoral, obturator), and management of pilonidal sinus disease.