Mr P.J. Arumugam

Mr Arumugam (Aru) is a Consultant in General Surgery over 16 years (from 2004), sub-specialising in Coloproctology at the Royal Cornwall Hospital & Duchy Hospital in Truro. He specialises in Colorectal Cancer surgery, surgery for inflammatory bowel disease & functional bowel work.

His personal series involves over 600 Colorectal cancer resections as a Consultant. Aru is a experienced Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Surgeon in Cornwall (over 250 procedures) and teaches on the core skills in laparoscopy in Plymouth. Working with his colleagues he introduced Laparoscopic Colorectal surgery and enhanced recovery programme after Colorectal surgery in Cornwall. He enjoys teaching undergraduate medical students and postgraduates. He has completed the PGCE (Post-graduate Certificate in Education). Aru trained in India and UK and has widely published in journals and written chapters in books.

Special interests: Laparoscopic procedures

• Rectal cancer surgery: Extra levator Abdomino-Perineal resection with VRAM flap (ELAPE)- First to introduce to Cornwall
• Laparoscopic rectal & colonic cancer surgery -First to introduce to Cornwall with his colleague
• Laparoscopic Rectopexy for rectal prolapse
• Laparoscopic Appendicectomy
• Laparoscopic Gall Stone Surgery (Cholecystectomy)
• Laparoscopic Hernia Repair(TAPP)
• Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair
• Laparoscopic total colectomy for acute or chronic colitis or FAP

Endoscopic procedures:

• Diagnostic & Therapeutic Colonoscopy/Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
• Diagnostic & Therapeutic Gastroscopy

Other interests:

• Stapled Haemorrhoidopexy (PPH) – First to introduce to Cornwall, large series
• Surgery for inflammatory bowel disorders (ileoanal pouch)
• Surgery for functional disorders- ACE technique for constipation/faecal incontinence
• HALO with RAR for Piles

Anorectal conditions:

• Pilonidal sinus- Limberg flap and Bascom flaps
• Anal fissure
• Anal fistulas- (Anal fistula plug repair)
• Pruritus ani
• Functional bowel disorders- chronic constipation, obstructed defaecation, rectocoele

Aru's interests and other commitments:

Teaching:

• Faculty member and trainer in Core skills in Laparoscopic Surgery, Royal College Course, Plymouth
• Faculty, Basic Surgical Skills Course, Plymouth
• Honorary University Fellow, Peninsula Medical School
• Clinical and Educational Supervisor- Penninsula Medical School and for Trainees
• Examiner for Peninsula Medical School
• Assigned educational supervisor for registrars in Peninsula Deanery

Management activities:

• Mentor for Consultants for Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust
• Medical appraiser

Research interests:

• Supervised successfully a MSc Graduate's thesis
• Principal investigator for FACS trial
• Recruited for SIGGAR trial
• Principal investigator for ISAAC trial
• Principal investigator for ETHOS trial
• Principal investigator for Starrcatt trial

Reviewer for Journals:

• Colorectal Disease
• International Journal of Surgery