When surgeons use a minimally invasive approach to treatment, the effects on a patient's life can be profound. Here are some examples from UCSD's surgeons:
Ulcerative Colitis - A patient with ulcerative colitis avoided the need for an external pouch. UCSD surgeons treated her colitis with a laparoscopic surgery, including a J-pouch reconstruction, that allowed her to retain intestinal continence. She was out of the hospital within a week after surgery.
Hemorrhoids - A patient's hemorrhoids can be removed without cutting out tissue. Instead, UCSD surgeons reduce blood flow to the dilated veins by stapling them deep inside the rectum where there is less sensation. Rather than enduring the pain and a three-to-five week recovery time of the conventional procedures, patients are back in action in about seven days.
Diabetes and Circulation - Diabetic patients can avoid amputations that might otherwise be necessary due to circulatory problems. UCSD vascular surgeons use endovascular techniques to bypass small vessels and save diseased legs and feet.
Precancerous Polyp in the Colon - A patient with a precancerous polyp avoided having part of his colon removed. Instead of major surgery and a three to four week recovery time, the patient underwent a laparoscopic-assisted endoscopic polypectomy, one of the specialized minimally invasive procedures offered at UCSD.