Dr Beelke D’hondt – Paediatric Surgeon – Foreshore

Dr Beelke D'hondt - Paediatric Surgeon - Foreshore

Dr Beelke D’hondt – Paediatric Surgeon – Brackenfell practices at Mediclinic Foreshore, a leading paediatric surgical centre in Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs. She qualified as a general surgeon at the University of Leuven (Belgium) in 2007 and subsequently completed her Fellowship in Paediatric Surgery at the University of Pretoria in 2011 . Moreover, she earned her FC Paed Surg (SA) with the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa the same year, blending European rigour with local expertise.

Furthermore, Dr D’hondt pursued advanced minim­ally invasive training at renowned institutions such as Great Ormond Street Hospital and Leuven University Hospital between 2011 and 2016. Consequently, she developed specialised skills in neonatal surgery, endoscopic paediatric abdominal procedures, and paediatric oncology surgery. Meanwhile, she contributes to peer-reviewed research on congenital gastrointestinal anomalies, ensuring that every intervention aligns with the latest evidence. Thus, her practice emphasises precision and compassionate care.

She co-founded a multidisciplinary child-health initiative, collaborating closely with paediatricians, neonatologists, and allied specialists. Additionally, she serves as chair of the Renal Quality Committee at Mediclinic Foreshore, shaping clinical governance and quality assurance. Therefore, Dr D’hondt combines technical mastery with leadership to advance surgical outcomes for children.

Services

• Neonatal Surgery: correction of abdominal wall defects, hernias, and intestinal atresias in the NICU setting, using heated incubators and apnoea monitors.

• Endoscopic Paediatric Abdominal Surgery: minimally invasive repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, fundoplication, and appendectomy with 3D-HD imaging.

• Paediatric Oncology Surgery: resection of Wilms’ tumour and neuroblastoma under intraoperative ultrasound guidance to maximise precision.

• Colonic & Anorectal Malformation Repair: including Hirschsprung’s disease pull-through procedures with CAD/CAM-guided instrumentation.

• Paediatric Hepatobiliary Surgery: complex liver resections and gallbladder procedures using laparoscopic and open techniques.

• Pediatric Trauma Surgery: comprehensive management of penetrating and blunt trauma, including burns, with enhanced recovery protocols.

• Pediatric Vascular Malformations: surgical correction of haemangiomas and AV malformations with multidisciplinary support.

• Minimally Invasive Techniques: high-definition laparoscopy and reduced-port approaches to minimise scarring and pain.

• Enhanced Recovery Protocols: multimodal analgesia, early feeding, and tailored physiotherapy to shorten hospital stays.

• 24-Hour Emergency Paediatric Care: rapid-response surgical services across multiple hospital sites for urgent paediatric emergencies.

Additional Information

Mediclinic Foreshore boasts ultramodern paediatric surgical theatres, equipped with real-time video navigation and digital workflow systems. Moreover, Dr D’hondt leads a multidisciplinary team—comprising neonatologists, paediatric anaesthetists, physiotherapists, and specialised nurses—to deliver cohesive perioperative care. Consequently, families experience seamless coordination from diagnosis through recovery.

Patient experience remains at the heart of her practice. Therefore, she provides clear, empathetic communication and age-appropriate explanations at every step. Additionally, she adheres to stringent aseptic and infection-control protocols, thereby maximising safety. She also conducts regular follow-up clinics to monitor growth, development, and surgical outcomes. Thus, each treatment plan evolves responsively to the child’s progress.

Beyond clinical duties, Dr D’hondt mentors junior surgeons through simulation labs and case reviews. Furthermore, she contributes to community outreach programmes and national workshops, championing best practices in paediatric surgery. Schedule a consultation today to explore how her personalised, technology-driven approach can restore health and confidence in your child’s future.