Below is a list of the most common general surgical procedures we perform: 

Open Breast Biopsy/Lumpectomy

Open breast biopsy is a procedure used when your doctor feels a lump. A needle-directed biopsy is used when the doctor cannot feel a lump, but there is an abnormality in the mammogram that warrants biopsy. Though the anesthesia is usually local (numbing medicine injected at the site of incision) with intravenous sedation, a general anesthesia can also be used.

Core Breast Biopsy 

The core breast biopsy helps doctors accurately diagnose breast abnormalities.It is performed in less than 1 hour, requires only a single ¼ inch incision, and requires no stitches. It is done in the office under local anesthesia. 

This offers women an alternative to an open surgical biopsy, the most common biopsy method, which can leave scars and result in disfigurement of the breast. The procedure is performed using ultrasound guidance to allow greater accuracy in needle placement. Women are able to resume normal activity immediately following the procedure with only a small adhesive strip to cover the incision site.

VNUS Closure

For many of the 25 million people suffering from symptoms associated with superficial venous reflux and varicose veins, the Closure procedure offers a minimally invasive alternative to vein stripping.  When compared to stripping and causes minimal pain. Most patients are able to resume normal activities very quickly.

Using a catheter based approach and VNUS’ patented radiofrequency technology, the Closure system occludes the saphenous vein thereby eliminating reflux.  This prevents blood from flowing downstream back into the leg and prevents blood from filling varicose veins. The Closure procedure is an outpatient or day-surgery treatment which can be performed under local anesthesia.  After the Closure procedure, over 90 percent of veins are reflux free and 87 percent of limbs are absent of varicose veins; 94-100 percent of varicose veins are invisible after the procedure by ultrasound.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

In some patients, there are varicose veins that will not respond to VNUS Closure, stripping or sclerotherapy. These veins can commonly be treated with ambulatory phlebectomy. This is simply the removal of varicose veins through tiny incisions in the leg. This can be performed in the office, or in an outpatient facility under sedation. The procedure usually lasts 15-60 minutes, depending on the number of veins to be removed.

Sclerotherapy and Ultrasound-Guided Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is simply injection of a compound into the vein to cause that vein to shut down completely.  Once that vein shuts down, the blood supply to the vein is gone and the body will eventually absorb it. Because all of these veins are superficial veins they can be spared and usually do not play a significant part in the blood supply from your leg.

Our surgeons now offer state-of-the-art ultrasound guided sclerotherapy. This injects deeper veins that may not be visible on the surface but are contributing to varicose or spider veins. The vascular ultrasound locates the vessel and guides the surgeon for precise injections.

Sclerotherapy is effective around 90 percent of the time in eliminating the vast majority of the unwanted veins. More importantly, symptoms from these veins are very commonly eliminated.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Removal of the gallbladder is a very common procedure as about 600,000 gallbladders are removed in the United States every year! The gallbladder is responsible for storage of a small amount of bile for use after a fatty meal. However, when the gallbladder gets stones that have formed, it will often get symptoms of pain and bloating. These are signs that more serious complications such as infection and bile duct blockage may also occur. The vast majority of gallbladders are removed with the laparoscope.

Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication

Nissen Fundoplication is used in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).  During the operation the top part of the stomach, called the fundus, is wrapped around the area where the esophagus meets the stomach.  This will tighten the sphincter muscle that is between the esophagus and stomach and allow this sphincter to function properly again.  The entire operation can be done with the laparoscope.

Nearly every patient can go home the day after the operation.

Recent data suggests that this operation will help in some patients to cause regression of Barrett’s esophagus which is a precancerous change in the lining of the lower esophagus.

This operation is also beneficial not only for those patients who have stopped responding to medical therapy for GERD but also for patients who are relatively healthy and do not want to take a lifetime of antacid medication.  The vast majority of patients after this operation do not need supplementation with antacids or acid suppression pills.

Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair

Ventral hernias are repaired on an elective basis to avoid internal organs getting stuck in the hernia. This can result in strangulation, or death of the internal organ.Every hernia is repaired with mesh when we use the laparoscope. This mesh is made of PTFE which is the material used in Gore-Tex™. The advantage of mesh is a more durable repair and less post-operative pain than the older type of hernia repair without mesh. Recurrence rates for a mesh repair are around 1% compared to around 10% with the older technique. This procedure is doen under general anesthesia.

Laparoscopic & Open Inguinal Hernia Repair

Inguinal (groin) hernias are repaired on an elective basis to avoid internal organs getting stuck in the hernia. This can result in strangulation, or death of the internal organ.Almost every hernia is repaired with mesh. This is woven polypropylene, or a type of plastic. The advantage of mesh is a more durable repair and less post-operative pain than the older type of hernia repair without mesh. Hernia repairs are performed laparoscopically when possible.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids, one of the most common ailments in both men and women affect more than half the population at some point in their lives. Onset commonly occurs after the age of 30, but hemorrhoids are reported in people of all ages. More than 525,000 patients in the United States are treated annually for symptomatic hemorrhoids. Of these, approximately 10–20 percent will require surgical treatment for their condition.

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins. Veins around the anus tend to stretch under pressure, somewhat like varicose veins in the legs. When these veins swell, they are called “hemorrhoids.” One set of veins is inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids) and another is under the skin around the anus (external hemorrhoids).

Internal Hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids usually are not painful, but may bleed. Sometimes, an internal hemorrhoid may stretch until it bulges outside the anus. This is called a prolapsed hemorrhoid. A prolapsed hemorrhoid can go back inside the rectum on its own, or it can be gently pushed back inside. If the prolapsed hemorrhoid cannot be pushed back inside, consultation with a physician about surgical treatment options is necessary.

External Hemorrhoids
External hemorrhoids involve the veins outside the anus. They can be itchy or painful and can sometimes crack and bleed. If a blood clot forms, one may feel a tender lump on the edge of the anus, and see bright red blood on toilet paper or in the toilet after a bowel movement.

Symptoms of hemorrhoids, both external and internal, include aching after a bowel movement; anal or rectal itching; bright red blood on toilet tissue or in toilet bowl; appearance of anal tissue pads or sensitive lumps. When any of these symptoms are present, it is important to see a doctor to make sure the cause of the discomfort is hemorrhoids and not some other problem.

A person may be more likely to get hemorrhoids as they age or if their parents had them. Pregnant women often get hemorrhoids because of the strain from carrying the baby and from giving birth. For most women, such hemorrhoids are a temporary problem. Being over weight, straining to move your bowels, sitting too long on the toilet, or standing or lifting too much can make hemorrhoids worse. Constipation is the main cause of hemorrhoids.

Tips for hemorrhoid prevention:

  • Include more fiber in your diet. Fresh fruits, leafy vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals are good sources of fiber.
  • Drink plenty of fluids (except alcohol). Eight glasses of water each day is ideal.
  • Do not read on the toilet. Sitting and straining too long encourages swelling.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Avoid laxatives, except bulk-forming laxatives, such as Fiberall, Metamucil, etc. Other types of laxatives can lead to diarrhea, which can worsen hemorrhoids
  • When you feel the need to have a bowel movement, don’t wait for long periods before using the bathroom.

Tips to reduce the pain caused by hemorrhoids:

  • Take warm soaks three or four times a day.
  • Clean your anus after each bowel movement by patting gently with moist toilet paper or moistened pads, such as baby wipes.
  • Use ice packs to relieve swelling.
  • Use acetaminophen (Tylenol®), ibuprofen (Motrin®), or aspirin to help relieve pain.
  • Apply a cream that contains witch hazel to the area or use a numbing ointment. Creams that contain hydrocortisone can be used for itching or pain.

Treatment
Often lifestyle changes, topical medications, and good hygiene are all that is needed to reduce the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Most painful hemorrhoids stop hurting on their own in one to two weeks. If the pain persists, it is time to talk to a physician about other treatment options.

In a certain percentage of cases, surgical procedures are necessary to provide satisfactory, long-term relief. The newest procedure for advanced hemorrhoids is called the Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids (PPH). PPH is a technique that reduces the prolapse (enlargement) of hemorrhoidal tissue. With the PPH procedure, patients experience less pain and recover faster than patients who undergo the conventional hemorrhoidectomy procedure.

PPH reduces the prolapse of hemorrhoidal tissue by cutting out a band of the prolapsed anal mucosal membrane with the use of a circular stapling device. The PPH procedure essentially “lifts up” or repositions the mucosal, or anal canal tissue, and restores the hemorrhoidal tissue back to its original anatomical position. This reduces blood flow to the internal hemorrhoids. These internal hemorrhoids, then, typically shrink within four to six weeks after the procedure. The PPH procedure results in less pain than traditional procedures because it is performed above the “pain” line, or dentate line, inside the anal canal. The advantage is this method affects few nerve endings, while traditional procedures are performed below the dentate line, affecting many sensitive nerve endings.

For patients with a lesser degree of prolapse (internal hemorrhoids that have fallen outside the anus), rubber band ligation is widely used for the treatment of internal hemorrhoids. In this procedure, the hemorrhoidal tissue is pulled into a double-sleeved cylinder to allow the placement of latex/rubber bands around the tissue. Over time, the tissue below the bands dies-off and is eliminated during a bowel movement. Rubber band ligation can be performed in a doctor’s office and requires little preparation. Often, however, there is the need for more than one procedure to resolve a patient’s condition.

In cases involving a greater degree of prolapse, a variety of operative techniques are employed to address the problem. In traditional hemorrhoidectomy, surgery is used to remove the hemorrhoids. A hemorrhoidectomy removes excessive tissue that causes the bleeding or protrusion. It is done under anesthesia and may require hospitalization and a period of inactivity. Laser hemorrhoidectomies do not offer any advantage over standard operative techniques. They also are quite expensive, and contrary to popular belief, are no less painful.

Although anorectal conditions are benign and easily treated, patients may delay seeking medical advice because of embarrassment of hemorrhoids or fear of cancer. As a result, many patients first see their physician when the problem is advanced, requiring extensive treatment, and causing greater patient distress than if the conditions had been adequately diagnosed and managed at an earlier stage.

Procedure for Advanced Hemorrhoids (Involves Less Pain and a Quicker Recovery)

The Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids (PPH) eliminates the need for traditional hemorrhoidectomy for many patients. PPH is a technique that reduces the prolapse (enlargement) of hemorrhoidal tissue. With the PPH procedure, patients experience significantly less pain and recover faster than patients who undergo conventional hemorrhoidectomy procedures.

Results from PPH Clinical Trials
Compared to traditional hemorrhoidectomy, several studies have demonstrated that patients undergoing the PPH procedure:

  • experienced significantly less pain
  • experienced a quicker return to normal activities, including work
  • spent less time in the hospital
  • experienced less post-operative pain
  • experienced less post-operative bleeding
  • experienced less post-operative itching
  • experienced less post-operative incontinence and constipation

How PPH Works
Using a stapling device, the PPH procedure essentially “lifts up” or repositions the mucosa, or anal canal tissue, and reduces blood flow to the internal hemorrhoids. These internal hemorrhoids, then, typically shrink within four to six weeks after the procedure. The PPH procedure results in less pain than traditional procedures because it is performed above the “pain” line, or dentate line inside the anal canal. The advantage is that this method affects few nerve endings, while traditional procedures are performed below the dentate line, affecting many sensitive nerve endings.

PPH Indications
PPH is indicated for patients with:

  • Second degree hemorrhoids after failure of multiple rubber band ligation
  • Third and fourth degree hemorrhoids
  • Rectal mucosal prolapse

Laparoscopic Colon Resection

Segments of the colon or the entire colon can be removed utilizing the laparoscope for a “minimally invasive” approach. The laparoscopic portion of the operation is performed with the aide of a scope in a ½” incision around the umbilicus (belly button). The position of other incisions, or ports, is dependent on the specific operation that is performed. Your surgeon will give you specific details about incision locations at your preoperative appointment.

Another new innovation that our surgeons use is called the hand assist technique. This is used for difficult operations that could not normally be done using the laparoscope. It allows the surgeon to put his hand in the abdomen through a small incision while the remainder of the operation is done laparoscopically. This allows the best of both open and laparoscopic surgery.

The advantage to laparoscopic or hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery is quicker recovery time and shorter hospital stay. We have found that the length of hospital stay has shortened to 1-3 days for laparoscopic colon resection as compared to 3-5 days for the traditional open operation. This is primarily because the post-operative pain is much less and fewer narcotics are used for pain control in the post-operative period.

We generally do not perform laparoscopic colon resection for colon cancer because the scientific data is not there to support that the cancer survival rate is the same as with an open operation. In the near future, we expect the data to support laparoscopic resections for cancer and we will then change our practices accordingly.

Colon Cancer Surgery

Many colon and rectal cancers can be cured by surgical removal of the tumor. Other cancers may require the addition of radiation and/or chemotherapy to cure the cancer.

Colon cancer can grow very large without any warning. It can be picked up earlier with routine screening colonoscopy. This allows for a higher cure rate of colon cancer. We recommend routine screening starting at age 50 for people with average risk. Ask your primary doctor for recommendations.

Thyroid Surgery

We perform partial and total thyroid removals for thyroid cancer and for suspicious thyroid lumps or nodules.

Lung Surgery

We perform surgery for both malignant and benign lung disease. We also utilize a minimally invasive procedure called thoracoscopy for treatment of some lung diseases.

Ultrasound

Our surgeons have had additional training in ultrasound techniques.  We have two ultrasound machines available for immediate exams.  We now have the capability to perform ultrasound for breast disease, vascular disease, varicose veins, thyroid evaluations, lymph node evaluations and examination for possible fluid collections under the skin. We also use ultrasound to help in the accurate placement of needles during biopsy procedures.