Best in Care - Special Women’s Issue - (Page 8)

Major Surgery. Minor Scar. Sergio Larach, MD Colorectal cancer patients have new options A diagnosis of colon cancer once required major surgery and inpatient stays. Now, physicians at Florida Hospital are performing the latest minimally invasive procedures for colon cancer with faster and easier recoveries. “With traditional surgery, removing part of the colon is a major operation,” says Florida Hospital colorectal surgeon Sergio Larach, MD. “We often use laparoscopy to do the same operation through many tiny incisions.” Laparoscopic surgery minimizes the trauma to the body caused by traditional surgery on internal organs. “We no longer need to make a long incision through the muscular abdominal wall, which allows fewer postoperative problems,” Larach says. The da Vinci’s unrivaled precision leads to less tissue damage, less blood loss and a lower chance of damaging other organs. “Because we are able to be so precise with the da Vinci, we have fewer complications and patients have a faster and easier recovery,” Larach says. Benefits of minimally invasive colorectal surgery, include: • Reduced pain and the need for strong medications • Quicker recovery and an earlier return to activities • Smaller incisions unrIvaled BeneFIts Physicians at Florida Hospital also use the da Vinci® surgical system, a laparoscopic surgical robot, to perform some colorectal procedures. It is one of only 200 hospitals in the country to have the system. The da Vinci combines computer technology and the surgeon’s skill to make three tiny incisions in the patient where two robotic arms and a tiny camera are inserted. “The procedure is performed at a computer console where a camera transmits a 3-D magnified image of the patient’s colon and surrounding areas,” Larach says. “This technology magnifies images by 10 times so we can see vessels we’ve never seen before and nerves we normally can’t see.” roBotIC preCIsIon CoMBat ColoreCtal CanCer To find out more about Florida Hospital’s minimally invasive colorectal program or to schedule an appointment with a physician specializing in minimally invasive surgery, call 407-303-1700. 8I The skill to heal. The spirit to care.

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Best in Care - Spring 2008

Best in Care - Spring 2008 Contents The Doctor Becomes the Patient Stop the Monthly Suffering Major Surgery. Minor Scar. A Healthier Weight Expect More When Expecting

Best in Care - Spring 2008

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