York County Medicine Winter 2020 - 30

YO R K C O M E D S O C . O R G

FEATURE:

New Minimally Invasive Surgery
for Esophageal Cancer Offered
at UPMC Pinnacle West Shore
HARRISBURG, Pa. (Nov. 9, 2020) - UPMC is the first in
central Pennsylvania to offer fully robotic minimally invasive
surgery for esophageal cancer. UPMC Thoracic Surgeons John
Brady, D.O., and Troy Moritz, D.O., F.A.C.O.S., perform this
procedure, which involves the removal of the esophagus for
patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer, at UPMC Pinnacle
West Shore.
According to the American Cancer Society more than
18,000 new esophageal cancers are diagnosed in the U.S. each
year. The minimally invasive procedure offered at UPMC
Pinnacle West Shore allows the patient to receive the same
procedure as traditional open surgery but with smaller incisions.
The other benefits of minimally invasive surgery are reduced
complications, a shorter hospital stay, and reduced pain and
scarring.
This procedure was performed with robotic assistance,
providing the surgeons with greater dexterity and the ability to
access hard-to-reach areas of the body. The surgeon is in control
of every movement throughout the operation.
" A traditionally performed esophagectomy would require
a large abdominal incision and another large incision in the
chest, which includes spreading the ribs, " said Dr. Brady. " This
minimally invasive surgery requires only four to five small
incisions in the abdominal wall and chest to perform the same
operation as traditional open surgery, without compromising
cancer outcomes. "
Once an individual is diagnosed with esophageal cancer,
surgeons and the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center use a
multidisciplinary approach to determine the best combination
of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical treatment for each
patient.
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York County Medicine | W I N T E R 2020/2021
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York County Medicine Winter 2020

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