DOCTOR PROFILE

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Dr Quah Hak Mien is a renowned colorectal surgeon, graduated from the University of Bristol (United Kingdom) in 1997. He received majority of his training in Singapore but had the opportunity to train overseas in Surgery at Glan Clwyd Hospital, United Kingdom in 2002. He obtained his Master of Medicine in Surgery from National University of Singapore in 2002. He became a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeon of Edinburgh and a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine of Singapore in 2005. In 2006, he was awarded the SingHealth HMDP award for further training subspecialising in Colorectal Surgery. He went for his fellowship training at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, USA in 2006. He had the privilege of working with Late Dr Douglas Wong, who was the Chief of Colorectal Service, focusing his clinical training and research on colorectal cancer, in particular, sphincter-preservative surgery for rectal cancer and recurrent pelvic cancer operations. His clinical interests are in the areas of prevention, endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer.

Dr Quah was formerly Consultant at the Department of Colorectal Surgery, Singapore General Hospital. During his time in Singapore General Hospital, he held the post of Director of the Singapore Polyposis Registry. He was also Visiting Consultant to the Department of Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre of Singapore. He also held concurrent appointment of Adjunct Assistant Professor with Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School.

Dr Quah has a very keen clinical interest in minimally invasive colorectal surgery. He is proficient in laparoscopic (keyhole) colorectal surgery and single incision laparoscopic (single keyhole) colorectal surgery. He is also one the few surgeons in Singapore accredited to perform Robotic-Assisted colorectal surgery.

He is also passionate about training and education of young specialist doctors and medical students. He has conducted laparoscopic and endoscopic skill courses for local and overseas trainee surgeons. He has particular interest in the use of simulation machines for the training of laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical skills.

He has also developed expertise in functional bowel disorders and pelvic floor disorders, such as patients suffering from chronic constipation, obstructed defaecation syndrome, faecal incontinence and rectal prolapse. Another area of interest is that of perianal diseases and haemorrhoids (piles). He has published numerous academic articles in local and international peer-reviewed journals and book chapters. And he is a reviewer for the Singapore Medical Journal and Annals of Surgical Oncology.

  1. Singapore Health Quality Service Award (Silver Award), 2010
  2. Service With A Heart Award, 2010.
  3. HMDP Award 2009: Pelvic Floor Disorder Service – An Organisational Initiative & Cluster Based Service.
  4. Service With A Heart Award, 2009.
  5. Singapore General Hospital 10 years Long Service Award, 2008.
  6. HMDP Award 2006: Colorectal Surgical Fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA.
  1. Koh S, Low SC, Quah HM, Multidetector computer tomography diagnosis of splenic flexure volvulus: usefulness of multiplanar reformats. Singapore Med J 2013; 54(4): e79-82.
  2. Koh D, Lim JF, Quah HM, Tang CL. Biofeedback is an effective treatment for patients with dyssynergic defaecation. Singapore Med J 2012; 53(6): 381-384.
  3. Tan WS, Quah HM, Eu KW. Combined laparoscopic anterior resection and right hemicolectomy for synchronous colorectal tumours: how to retrieve both specimens at the same time through a transverse incision. Surgeon 2012; 10(2): 120-122.
  4. Ho KS, Quah HM, Lim JF, Tang CL, Eu KW. Endoscopic stenting and elective surgery versus emergency surgery for left-sided malignant colonic obstruction: a prospective randomized trial. Int J Colorectal Dis 2011. (Epub).
  5. Chew MH, Quah HM, Teh KL, Loi TT, Eu KW, Tang CL. Twenty years of familial adenomatosis polyposis syndromes in the Singapore Polyposis Registry: an analysis of outcomes. Singapore Med J 2011; 52(4): 246-251.
  6. Fu WP, Quah HM, Tang CL, Ooi BS, Eu KW. Stapled anastomosis for anterior resection is safe even after previous stapled haemorrhoidectomy – a report of five cases. Int J Colorectal Dis 2010; 25(12): 1503-1506.
  7. Fu WP, Quah HM, Eu KW. Traumatic rectal perforation presenting as necrotizing fasciitis of the lower limb. Singapore Med J 2009; 50(8): e270-273.
  8. Ooi BS, Quah HM, Fu CW, Eu KW. Laparoscopic high anterior resection with natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) for early rectal cancer. Tech Coloproctolol 2009; 13(1): 61-64.
  9. Weiser MR, Quah HM, Shia J, Guillem JG, Paty PB, Temple LK, Goodman KA, Minsky BD, Wong WD. Sphincter preservation in low rectal cancer is facilitated by preoperative chemoradiation and intersphincteric dissection. Ann Surg 2009; 249(2): 236-242.
  10. Quah HM, Chou JF, Gonen M, Shia J, Schrag D, Saltz LB, Goodman KA, Minsky BD, Wong WD, Weiser MR. Pathologic stage is most prognostic of disease-free survival in locally advanced rectal cancer patients after preoperative chemoradiation. Cancer 2008; 113(1): 57-64.
  11. Quah HM, Chou JF, Gonen M, Shia J, Schrag D, Landmann RG, Guillem JG, Paty PB, Temple LK, Wong WD, Weiser MR. Identification of high-risk stage II colon cancer patients for adjuvant therapy. Dis Colon Rectum 2008; 51(5): 503-507.
  12. Chew MH, Quah HM, Ooi BS, Lim JF, Ho KS, Tang CL, Eu KW. A prospective study assessing anal plug for containment of faecal soilage and incontinence. Colorectal Dis 2007 2008; 10(7): 677-680.
  13. Quah HM, Joseph R, Schrag D, Shia J, Guillem JG, Paty PB, Temple LK, Wong WD, Weiser MR. Young Age Influences Treatment but not Outcome of Colon Cancer. Ann Surg Oncol 2007; 14(10): 2759-2765.
  14. Quah HM, Tang CL, Eu KW, Chan SYE, Samuel M. Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials comparing drainage alone vs. primary sphincter cutting procedures for anorectal abscess-fistulas. Int J Colorectal Dis 2006; 21(6): 602-609.
  15. Goh B, Quah HM, Chow PKH, Tan KY, Tay KH, Eu KW, Ooi LLPJ, Wong WK. Predictive factors of malignancy in adult with intussusception. World J Surg 2006; 30(7): 1300-1304.
  16. Goh B, Chow PKH, Quah HM, Ong HS, Eu KW, Ooi LLPJ, Wong WK. Perforation of the gastrointestinal tract secondary to ingestion of foreign bodies. World J Surg 2006; 30(3): 372-377.
  17. Hadi HIA, Quah HM, Maw A. A missing tongue stud: an unusual appendicular foreign body. Int Surg 2006: 91(2): 87-89.
  18. Quah HM, Ooi BS, Seow-Choen F, Sng KK, Ho KS. Prospective randomized crossover trial comparing fibre with lactulose in the treatment of idiopathic chronic constipation. Tech Coloproctol 2006; 10(2): 111-114.
  19. Quah HM, Samad A, Neathey AJ, Hay DJ, Maw A. Does gum chewing reduce postoperative ileus following open surgery for left-sided colon and rectal cancer? A prospective randomized controlled trial. Colorectal Dis 2006; 8(1): 64-70.
  20. Quah HM, Samad A, Maw A. Ileostomy carcinomas a review: The latent risk after colectomy for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. Colorectal Dis 2005; 7(6): 538-544.
  21. Quah HM, Samad AKA, Hay DJ, Maw A. High risk of lower limb neuropraxia and litigations for a better view of the perineum. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2005; 87: 313-314.
  22. Quah HM, Seow-Choen F. Prospective Randomised Trial Comparing Diathermy Excision and Diathermy Coagulation for Symptomatic Prolapsed Haemorrhoids. Dis Colon Rectum 2004; 47(3): 367-370.
  23. Quah HM, Maw A, Young T, Hay DJ. Vacuum-assisted closure in the management of the open abdomen: a report of a case and initial experiences. J Tissue Viability 2004 Apr; 14(2): 59-62.
  24. Quah HM, Hay DJ, Maw A. A modified technique using the Yankauer sucker and argon plasma coagulation for anorectal procedures. Tech Coloproctol 2004; 8(1): 47-48.
  25. Quah HM, Hadi HIA, Hay DJ, Maw A. A Simple Way to Retrieve the Gallbladder in “5-mm” Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2003; 85: 282-3.
  26. Quah HM, Hadi HIA, Hay DJ, Maw A. Residual staples as a possible cause of recurrent rectal bleeding after stapled haemorrhoidectomy. Colorectal Dis 2003; 5(2): 196.
  27. Quah HM, Jayne DG, Eu KW, Seow-Choen F. Bladder and Sexual Dysfunction Following Laparoscopically Assisted and Conventional Open Mesorectal Resection For Cancer. Br J Surg 2002; 89(12): 1551-1556.
  28. Quah HM, Lim THD. Unusual Endolaryngeal Extension of a Large Thyroglossal Duct Cyst. Ann Acad Med Singapore 2002 Mar; 31(2): 238-240.
  1. Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
  2. Fellow of the Academy of Medicine of Singapore (College of Surgeons).
  3. Member, Singapore Medical Association.
  4. Member, Society of Colorectal Surgeons, Singapore.
  5. Member, Endoscopic & Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia