PRACTICE
Dr Johan Aikman grew up in Kempton Park and matriculating from Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria in 2001. After completing his BSc degree in Medical Sciences at the University of Pretoria in 2004, he went on to obtain his honours degree in Anatomy, passing with a distinction.
Dr Aikman then moved to Bloemfontein where he completed his MBChB from the University of the Free State in 2010. While completing his internship at Steve Biko Academic hospital, he attended several courses including management of obstetrical emergencies, basic surgical skills and a basic life support course. It was during this time that he developed a particular interest in general surgery and decided to pursue this specialisation.
Following his community service year at Kimberley Hospital Complex, he worked as a
medical officer in General Surgery at the same hospital for a year. In 2014, Dr Aikman was accepted into the registrar program for General Surgery at the University of the Free State and completed his Fellowship of the College of Surgeons (FCS) through the College of Medicine of South Africa, in December 2018.
For his specialisation, his MMed thesis was based on assessing the prognostic value of the Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation score (APACHE score) and comparing the APACHE 2 to the newest APACHE 4 score. This scoring system is used to evaluate the effect of the current disease on the patient's body, based on clinical parameters like blood pressure and the results of various blood tests. The score is used to predict outcome and guide further management.
Throughout his career, as a Specialist General Surgeon, Dr Aikman has and continues to prioritise cost-effective treatment as he is aware of the restraint on resources that many of his patients have. His special interests in the field of surgery include trauma surgery, acute surgical emergencies and hernia surgery. He enjoys doing endoscopies and endoscopic procedures and also has a keen interest in peri-anal pathology including perianal fistulae, anal stenosis and haemorrhoids.
With his extensive experience in the management of acute trauma patients throughout his years as a Specialist General Surgeon, he is well-versed in laparotomy, thoracotomy and vascular trauma repair. From his new practice at Life Wilgers Hospital in Pretoria, Dr Aikman offers the full spectrum of general surgeries. Outside of the theatre, you can find him farming, cycling, fishing, hunting and enjoying the outdoors in his spare time.