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Surgery Group LA

Surgery Group LA
Thyroid Nodules: Diagnosis and Treatment

Thyroid Nodules

A Thyroid Nodule is a solid or fluid-filled lump that forms within the thyroid gland, a hormone gland that is wrapped around your neck under the Adam’s apple.

Symptoms

While most thyroid nodules are small and go away with time if you have any of these symptoms it may be time to speak with a doctor for testing.

For cases of an underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism  you may suffer from: 

  • Feeling cold all the time
  • Memory problems or trouble concentrating
  • Depression and fatigue

For cases of an overactive thyroid  or hyperthyroidism you may suffer from: 

  • Sudden weight loss, even if your appetite has increased or is normal
  • Pounding heartbeat, tremors
  • Muscle weakness

Diagnosis and Treatment

Thyroid nodules are often discovered during a routine physical exam. Your doctor might discover a growth or swelling around your neck and perform further imaging tests. These are performed in order to get a better idea of the size of nodules, assess whether you are suffering from hypo or hyperthyroidism, as well as determine if the growth may be cancerous.

These tests include:

  • Hormone Test – Your doctor will perform a blood test in order to test your thyroid hormone levels and see if your thyroid is performing properly
  • Antibody Test – Depending on your blood work,  your doctor may perform an antibody test in order to rule out Hashimoto’s or Graves disease, a thyroid condition linked to an autoimmune disorder
  • Ultrasound of the thyroid – A ultrasound uses sound waves in order to create an image of your thyroid, which helps your doctor reveal the size of the thyroid and nodules affecting the thyroid
  • Radioactive iodine uptake test – Your doctor may prescribe this test in order to understand your thyroid function. They will inject you with a small amount of radioactive iodine and scan your thyroid gland in order to see how your thyroid absorbs it 
  • Biopsy – Your doctor may perform a microscopic biopsy of your neck tissue cells in order to rule out the possibility of a cancerous growth causing your condition

Treatment

Depending on the size of the nodules, severity of symptoms, and causes of the thyroid nodules, your doctor may perform any of these treatment options. 

  • Watchful waiting – In most cases, thyroid nodules are small, noncancerous, and have little chance of growing. In these cases, your doctor may advise no treatment but will prescribe a careful observation schedule with regularly timed testing intervals. If the thyroid has caused new growth or causing new symptoms report it to your doctor immediately
  • Medications – Underactive thyroids (Hypothyroidism) will often be treated with hormone supplements like levothyroxine (Levoxyl), while overactive thyroids (Hyperthyroidism) will be treated with drugs like methimazole (Tapazole) which may reduce the size of the goiter.
  • Surgery – If your thyroid is affecting your ability to breath or swallow, or is connected with thyroid cancer, you may need surgery in the form of a total or partial thyroidectomy. If surgery is performed, you will often need to take regular hormone supplements in order to replace the hormones your thyroid would usually produce

However, in most cases, thyroid nodules do not need treatments and can be managed with aspirin, and a diet that focuses on increasing supplies of iodine in the form of:

  • Seaweed
  • Saltwater fish such as salmon and tuna
  • Soy and dairy products

If you have any concerns regarding your thyroid, speak to a medical professional today.

December 15, 2021

Surgery Group LA
Goiters: Diagnosis and Treatment

Goiter

A Goiter is an irregular growth of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is a gland located under the Adam’s apple in a winged-like wrapping around your neck.

Symptoms 

Most people with Goiters won’t develop any symptoms outside of swelling around the neck. However, Goiters can cause specific symptoms depending on if it causes a decrease or increase in thyroid function.

Hypothyroidism – Decrease in Thyroid function

  • Fatigue
  • Sensitivity to cold
  • Sleepiness
  • Dry skin
  • Muscle weakness
  • Problems with attention or concentration

Hyperthyroidism – Increase in Thyroid function

  • Weight loss
  • Rabid Heartbeat (tachycardia)
  • Increased sensitivity to heat
  • Excess sweating
  • Tremors
  • Twitchiness or Irritability
  • High blood pressure

Diagnosis and Treatment

Goiters are often discovered during a routine physical exam. Your doctor might discover a growth or swelling around your neck and perform further imaging tests. These are performed in order to get a better idea of the size of nodules, assess whether you are suffering from hypo or hyperthyroidism, and determine the cause of the goiter. 

These tests include:

  • Hormone Test – Your doctor will perform a blood test in order to test your thyroid hormone levels and see if your thyroid is performing properly
  • Antibody Test – Depending on your blood work,  your doctor may perform an antibody test in order to rule out Hashimoto’s or Graves disease, a thyroid condition linked to an autoimmune disorder
  • Ultrasound of the thyroid – A ultrasound uses sound waves in order to create an image of your thyroid, which helps your doctor reveal the size of the thyroid and nodules affecting the thyroid
  • Radioactive iodine uptake test – Your doctor may prescribe this test in order to understand your thyroid function. They will inject you with a small amount of radioactive iodine and scan your thyroid gland in order to see how your thyroid absorbs it 
  • Biopsy – Your doctor may perform a microscopic biopsy of your neck tissue cells in order to rule out the possibility of a cancerous growth causing your condition

Treatment

Depending on the size of the goiter, severity of symptoms, and causes of the goiter, your doctor may perform any of these treatment options. 

  • Watchful waiting – In most cases, goiters are small, noncancerous, and have little chance of growing. In these cases, your doctor may advise no treatment but will prescribe a careful observation schedule with regularly timed testing intervals. If the thyroid has caused new growth or causing new symptoms report it to your doctor immediately
  • Medications – Underactive thyroids (Hypothyroidism) will often be treated with hormone supplements like levothyroxine (Levoxyl), while overactive thyroids (Hyperthyroidism) will be treated with drugs like methimazole (Tapazole) which may reduce the size of the goiter.
  • Surgery – If a goiter is affecting your ability to breath or swallow, or is connected with thyroid cancer, you may need surgery in the form of a total or partial thyroidectomy. If surgery is performed, you will often need to take regular hormone supplements in order to replace the hormones your thyroid would usually produce

However, in most cases, goiters do not need treatments and can be managed with aspirin and a healthy diet that rich in iodine which includes:

  • Seaweed
  • Saltwater fish such as salmon and tuna
  • Soy and dairy products

If you have any concerns regarding your thyroid, speak to a medical professional today.

December 15, 2021

Surgery Group LA
What to Expect After Thyroid Surgery

It’s important to know prior to your thyroid surgery what to expect after your operation. That way the process won’t be nearly as surprising or concerning to you. It can also be a great barometer for how your post-operative recovery is going and when it might be time to consult your medical professional for questions and concerns. The team at Surgery Group of LA has created this handy guide about what to expect after your thyroid surgery.

Immediately After

It is fairly common for patients immediately after thyroid surgery to suffer from a temporary sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and a weak voice. These symptoms are normal and almost always temporary. Your doctor will often prescribe a limited diet the day of surgery, but you should be able to follow your normal diet the very next day. 

Getting Back to Normal

Most patients will be able to return to their normal daily activities in a few days and to work in about a week. Activities like weight lifting or strenuous work should be avoided however for at least two weeks. 

Pain from the incision point usually goes away after a few days, but should not be too dramatic and can be treated with an OTC pain medication like Tylenol or aspirin. If you have been prescribed Percocet at your discharge, do not take OTC medications with acetaminophen like Tylenol. Only use pain medication as prescribed by your doctor to avoid complications.

New Supplements

After surgery, you will need to incorporate supplementation daily as part of your new routine. These will include:

  • Thyroid Hormone – usually in the form of a Synthroid (levothyroxine is its generic name) every day on an empty stomach usually in the morning. Do not eat 30 minutes after taking thyroid hormone
  • Calcium – Typically after surgery your calcium levels will be depleted and need to be replaced though is usually temporary. Usually in the form of calcium carbonate pills 1-3 times a day at your doctor’s discretion. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to avoid side effects or complications.


When to call your doctor

If you are experiencing any of these severe side effects, contact your doctor as soon as you can:

  • Fever over 101.5
  • Prolonged difficulty swallowing
  • Muscle cramps
  • Increased pain, swelling, or tenderness  in your incision point (Crucial)

While thyroid surgery complications may occur, recovery from thyroid surgery is often quick and easy. However, consult your medical professional if you have any questions or concerns before or after your surgery.

November 12, 2021

Surgery Group LA
Pros and Cons Of Minimally Invasive Thyroid Surgery

For patients who suffer from thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, hyperthyroidism, and thyroid goiters, minimally invasive thyroid surgery can be a crucial option in treating their condition. Normal thyroid surgery also has a low complication rate and is quite effective and treating thyroid-related diseases. However, there are complicating factors that may make minimally invasive surgery a better option.

The word surgery however can cause anxiety even for the most well-informed patients, so we here at the Surgery Group of LA have formulated this handy information sheet on the advantages and disadvantages of minimally invasive thyroid surgery that you can discuss with your doctor prior to any decisions about an operation.

Advantages

While the incision length can vary, open or normal thyroid surgeries can require incisions anywhere from 3.5 cm (for parathyroidectomy) to 5.5 cm (for total thyroidectomy). While any surgeon will do their absolute best to minimize the incision point in any surgery, minimally invasive thyroid surgical techniques can dramatically shorten the length of the incision required for surgery. While all of these measurements are estimates, a video-assisted thyroidectomy might only require an incision of about 2 cm in length. This means a shorter recovery time and a less noticeable scar for the patient.

In general, the recovery time associated with minimally invasive surgery techniques are far lower than their open surgery counterparts. The recovery time for an open thyroidectomy can be 2-3 weeks and may require an overnight hospital stay for observation and treatment. Minimally invasive surgery has recovery times in as little as 10 days and patients can often be sent home the same day as their operation.

Disadvantages

The main limitation of minimally invasive thyroid surgical techniques is that unfortunately not all patients can be treated using minimally invasive techniques. Generally, only patients with small thyroid glands, who do not suffer from thyroiditis, and have not had previous neck surgery or radiation treatments are eligible. 

Minimally invasive thyroid surgery is also more technically complicated and demanding, and the actual operation time is much longer than its open surgery counterparts. Because minimally invasive surgery is new and not the most common procedure, your surgeon might not be as familiar with minimally invasive techniques as they are with open surgical techniques.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive thyroid surgical techniques can be a great way to limit post-operative pain and scarring associated with thyroid surgery. However, it is not for everyone and must be discussed clearly with your surgeon before being considered an option.

November 12, 2021

Surgery Group LA
Hyperthyroidism: Diagnosis and Treatment

Hyperthyroidism: Diagnosis and Treatment

Hyperthyroidism is one of the most common issues involving the thyroid. Nearly 1 out of every 100 Americans suffer from hyperthyroidism. People who also have a family history of thyroid diseases, suffer from type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and are pregnant have an increased risk of hyperthyroidism.

Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include: 

  • Weight loss despite an increase in appetite
  • Rapid or irregular heart rate
  • Twitchiness, fatigue, irritability, nervous sweat
  • Muscle weakness and shaky hands

The good news is that hyperthyroidism 

Diagnosis 

Hyperthyroidism is usually diagnosed through a combination of a physical examination and blood testing. 

After checking your neck for signs of any growth around the thyroid gland, your doctor may draw a blood sample. Then they will test your blood for signs of either high levels of thyroxine, or low to nonexistent levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH.

Alert your doctor if you are taking medication or supplements with biotin as these might throw off the results of these tests.

If your tests come out positive for hyperthyroidism your doctor will perform one of the following tests to ascertain the source of your hyperthyroidism:

  • Radioiodine Uptake Test  – In this test, your doctor will ask you to ingest a small amount of radioactive iodine to see how much will collect into your thyroid gland after 4, 6, and  24 hours. If your thyroid retains a large amount of radioiodine, this might be a sign of hyperfunctioning thyroid gland. The most common cause of this is Graves Disease, an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland. If you suffer from hyperthyroidism but your radioiodine retention levels are low, you may suffer from thyroiditis.
  • Thyroid Scan – Your doctor may choose to have iodine injected into your bloodstream. Your thyroid gland will be analyzed using a special computer scan in order to see how your thyroid absorbs iodine.
  • Thyroid Ultrasound – Using soundwave imaging, your doctor will be able to see growths and irregularities in the thyroid gland without requiring you to ingest iodine

Treatment

The good news is that there a variety of treatments for hyperthyroidism based on the age, health, and condition of the patient, as well as the cause of your condition. These treatments include:

  • Radioactive Iodine – Ingested through the mouth, a patient can take radioactive iodine which is then absorbed by the thyroid gland causing it to shrink. Symptoms include nausea, tenderness of the neck,  swollen salivary glands, and loss of taste, but these symptoms subside in a few months. However, there is a chance that  Radioactive Iodine might cause hypothyroidism which might lead to a patient needing to take thyroxine supplements in the future.
  • Anti Thyroid Medication – Medications such as  Methimazole ( Tapozole) or propylithiouracil. Medication usually leads to symptom relief in a few weeks but may take up to a year or longer before treatment is complete. Both drugs have been linked to severe liver damage, while Methazole has been deemed far safer than propylithiouracil. 
  • Surgery ( Thyroidectomy) – If you are pregnant or would prefer to avoid or can’t take antithyroid medication or radioactive iodine, you may be a candidate for surgical treatment. Surgical treatments involving hyperthyroidism usually involve removing the thyroid and supplementing your thyroid hormone levels using medication such as levothyroxine. If your parathyroid glands also need to be removed, you will also need medication to regulate your calcium levels as well.

While Hyperthyroidism can be painful and feel like a lifelong ailment, there is a treatment for you. So if you or a loved one is suffering from symptoms of Hyperthyroidism, consult a medical professional today.

October 31, 2021

Surgery Group LA
Thyroid Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment

Thyroid Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment

There are approximately 44,000 new cases of Thyroid Cancer every year. The good news is that this increase in diagnosis stems from new and advanced detection techniques. Tests like CT and MRI scans have been developed and refined, allowing for detection at earlier stages of cancer.

With proper diagnosis and treatment, most thyroid cancer can be cured. Please consult this guide if you are a loved one who believes that you might have thyroid cancer.

Early Symptoms of Thyroid Cancer

The most common symptom of Thyroid Cancer is an enlargement or swelling of the thyroid glands in your neck. Other symptoms include:

  • Increased hoarseness of the voice that does not heal
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Pain in the neck and throat

Diagnosis

After performing a routine physical your doctor might perform these exams in order to ascertain if you have thyroid cancer:

  • Physical Examination – Your doctor will feel your neck for any signs of growth inside the thyroid glands around your neck. They also will ask about potential risk factors, such as your family’s history with Thyroid cancer and other cancers.
  • Blood test – A blood test might be prescribed in order to test whether your hormone levels are normal, a sign of a healthy thyroid
  • Ultrasound Imaging – Ultrasound uses sound waves to construct an in-depth image of your body structure. Ultrasounds can be a crucial test in deciphering whether a thyroid growth is benign or malignant and needs surgical treatment
  • Biopsy of suspect tissue – Using an Ultrasound as a guide, your doctor may remove a small part of the tissue in question through a procedure called a fine-needle aspiration biopsy. The sample then can be tested for cancerous cells.

Treatment

If your thyroid cancer is very small and has a low risk of spreading, your doctor may advise against treatment, preferring to keep cancer under active surveillance, usually through a blood and ultrasound test once or twice a year. These growths may never grow past this stage and may never require treatment.

However, most people diagnosed with thyroid cancer will require treatment at some point. Common non-surgical treatments include Thyroid Hormone Therapy, Chemotherapy, or Radiotive treatments, however, most thyroid cancer patients opt for surgical treatments. These treatments include:

  • Partial Removal of the thyroid (Thyroid Lobectomy) – Can be performed as an alternative to complete removal of the thyroid. A lobectomy is performed if the cancerous growth is small and has low signs of spreading. One advantage of this treatment is that the patient might not have to rely on thyroid hormone pills after treatment
  • Near Complete or Complete removal of the thyroid (Thyroidectomy) – The most common form of surgical treatment for thyroid cancer, a surgeon will remove most if not all the thyroid gland in order to decrease the chance of new growths forming. While this treatment will leave a scar around the neck, the scar will grow less noticeable over time. Patients who go through a thyroidectomy will need to take thyroid hormone pills daily
  • Removal of the lymph nodes around the neck (Lymph node dissection) – If cancer has spread through the thyroid into the lymph nodes, these nodes will often be removed during the same procedure as the thyroid removal surgery.

Common side effects of surgery include:

  • Temporary or permanent hoarseness of voice
  • Infection
  • Hematoma – forms of blood clots around the neck
  • Damage to the parathyroid glands could lead to irregulated calcium levels which can cause muscle spasms

Every form of treatment should be heavily discussed with your medical team before proceeding, but if you or a loved one is suffering from thyroid cancer, there is hope for treatment and a cure.

October 31, 2021

Surgery Group LA
3 Natural Ways to Improve Your Thyroid Health

While there are many reasons for poor thyroid health, most thyroid problems begin with: 

  • Poor diet
  • Lack of sleep/Stress
  • Missing Nutrients 

To help protect your thyroid before it gets to the point where you might need medication, here are 3 natural ways to improve your thyroid health.

Vitamin B

People with poor thyroid health, often suffer from low Vitamin B 1 and Vitamin B 12 levels, you can improve your Vitman B levels naturally by eating foods like:

  • Peas, beans, and asparagus
  • Sesame seeds, 
  • Milk and cheese
  • Eggs
  • Tuna

Tuna filet on a bed of asparagus, and toasted sesame seeds anyone? Not only a great meal but a great meal for your thyroid health!

Low Sugar or Sugar-Free Diet

The dangers of high sugar and processed food diets have been documented in numerous studies. Food high in added sugar can cause inflammation, which can slow down the conversion of T3 or T4 thyroid hormones, causing your thyroid-related symptoms to worsen.

Consider cutting out sugar from your diet, especially added sugar, and replacing what you can’t live without with a natural sweetener such as stevia or monk fruit sweetener.

Selenium

In a study performed by the National Institute of Health (NIH), selenium plays a huge part in thyroid hormone metabolism. 

Thankfully, foods high in Selenium are numerous and delicious and include:

  • Tuna
  • Grass-fed beef
  • Turkey
  • Brazil Nuts

Probiotics and Gluten-Free Diet

While there has been some evidence that probiotics and gluten-free diets manage symptoms of patients who suffer from hypothyroidism, and Hashimoto’s Disease, there has been no FDA-recognized study that has concluded that introducing probiotics or gluten-free foods into your diet will promote thyroid health. 

Conclusion

Lean meats high in Selenium and Vitamin B like Tuna, Turkey, and Grass-fed beef, nuts like sesame seeds and brazil nuts, and greens like asparagus and peas are already delicious and nutritious additions to any diet. They just happen to also be great ways to boost your thyroid health without medication.

So give them a try, your thyroid will thank you!

October 7, 2021

Surgery Group LA
What is Hypothyroidism? Diagnosis and Treatment

Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when your thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone into the bloodstream, causing your metabolism to slow down.

In extreme cases known as Mxeydema, patients could suffer from: 

  • Heart Failure
  • Anemia
  • Low Core Body Temperature
  • Coma

Thankfully, Hypothyroidism is a very treatable condition and can be controlled with medication and regular visits with your doctor,

Symptoms of Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism can often take years to develop noticeable symptoms. They can include: 

  • Fatigue, brain fog, 
  • Numbness and tingling in the hands
  • Constipation
  • Weight gain
  • Prolonged muscle weakness and soreness
  • Low tolerance of cold temperatures
  • Dry coarse skin and hair
  • Frequent and heavy menstrual periods

Diagnosing Hypothyroidism

After speaking with your medical care provider about your symptoms, your doctor will commonly perform a thyroid-stimulating hormone test (TSH), as well as blood tests for Hashimoto’s disease. If the thyroid is enlarged, your doctor can often check for that during your physical examination.

Treating Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is often treated through medication. Medication like levothyroxine improves the amount of thyroid hormone your body produces, realigning them back to normal levels. 

While Hypothyroidism is a very manageable condition, patients will need to take medication for the rest of their lives. However, with regular visits to your doctor to adjust and manage your medication, most patients can live a normal and healthy life.

If you or a loved one believes that they are suffering from Hypothyroidism, speak to your medical provider right away.

October 7, 2021

Surgery Group LA
Do I Have Fecal Incontinence? How to Know and What to Do About it

We get it. Any trouble with our bowel movements can cause distress. Whether your bowel movements are painful, irregular, or perhaps most distressingly not in your control, it can really affect the quality of your life. This is made harder by the fact that speaking to other people about these issues can cause embarrassment, confusion, or cause one to panic about the source of these bowel movement troubles. To help, we’ve created this article to establish how to know if you have fecal incontinence, how to treat it, and how to make sure that this won’t happen again.

What is Fecal Incontinence?

Fecal Incontinence is a condition that makes one unable to control their bowel movements, causing stools to leak from the rectum without warning. Other symptoms include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Bloating and Gas

Fecal Incontinence is often caused by diarrhea or constipation but can be caused by nerve damage. The muscle or nerve damage can be also caused by aging or with giving birth. This can present itself as the occasional leaking prior to a bowel movement, to complete loss of bowel control.

How to Diagnose and Treat Fecal Incontinence?

Diagnosis

If your Fecal Incontinence is chronic and severe, please consult a doctor as soon as you can. Your doctor will begin with a physical examination and then proceed with any of a number of tests that will help your doctor specifically ascertain the direct cause of your fecal incontinence.

These tests include:

  • Digital Rectal Exam – Performed by having a doctor insert a lubricated gloved finger into the rectum in order to test the strength of your sphincter muscles, and any abnormalities
  • Balloon Expulsion Test – A small balloon is placed into the rectum and filled with water. Once inserted you will be asked to expel the balloon in the bathroom. If this takes longer than 2-3 minutes you likely have a bowel movement disorder.
  • Anal Manometry – A thin tube is inserted into the anus and the rectum with a small balloon at the tip which is expanded to test the strength of your sphincter
  • Anorectal Ultrasonography – A thin tube is inserted into the anus, where an attached camera produces video images that allow your doctor to test the strength of the sphincter muscles
  • Proctography – While performing a bowel movement on a specially designed toilet, a specialist generates x-ray images for your doctor to evaluate
  • Colonoscopy –  A narrow tube is inserted through the rectum to inspect the entire rectum
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) –  An MRI is performed in order to create a detailed image of the muscles of the sphincter, judging the muscles for signs of damage

Treatments

Medical Treatments

Once your doctor evaluates the cause of your fecal incontinence, they may decide to prescribe medication including:

  • Bulk Laxatives such as MethylCellulose (Citrucel) or Psyllium (Metamucil) in cases of chronic constipation 
  • Anti Diarrheal Drug such as Diphenoxylate and atropine sulfate (Lomotil) or loperamide hydrochloride (Imodium A-D) in cases of chronic diarrhea
  • Bulking Agents can be injected into the walls of your anus, thickening them and making them more stable


Surgical Treatments

Some cases of fecal incontinence require surgical treatment, such as in cases of rectal prolapse, or sphincter damage caused by an accident or childbirth. Your surgeon may recommend:

  • Sphincteroplasty – Doctors identify the injured muscle in question and surgical reattach the muscle in an overlapping fashion, creating a stronger tighter sphincter. 
  • Treating rectal prolapse, or rectocele – While diagnosing your fecal incontinence your doctor might diagnose you with any of these conditions. Repairing and treating these conditions surgically might relieve your fecal incontinence however the longer a prolapse goes untreated, the lower the chances of it solving your fecal incontinence after surgery are.
  • Colostomy (bowel diversion) – Your surgeon creates a diversion from your bowels through the abdomen into a special bag that collects your stool. A colostomy is generally considered only after other treatments haven’t been successful.

At-Home Treatments

In the case of muscle damage, your doctor may recommend you begining a program of diet and exercise. Programs like kegel exercises, biofeedback-based physical therapy, and pelvic floor routines can all help by strengthening your sphincter naturally.

Your doctor will often recommend higher forms of dietary fiber and more fruits and vegetables in your diet, in general, to help treat your constipation or diarrhea. Avoiding greasy and fatty foods as well as dairy and caffeine, are also strongly encouraged.

If you or a loved one suffers from fecal incontinence, there is no need to suffer any longer. See a doctor and find out how you receive relief from this condition.

September 22, 2021

Surgery Group LA
3 Advances in Colorectal Cancer surgery You Need to Know About

Colorectal Cancer is the third most common form of cancer in America. To combat this, doctors around the world are developing new techniques that are less invasive and decrease the chance of recurrence. Here are three new techniques that are helping change lives around the world.

Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) – For those in the early stages of colorectal cancer, this new procedure is performed by having your surgeon place a laparoscopic port into the anus, allowing surgeons to pass through the necessary equipment to find and remove polyps and superficial lesions without making an incision.

By not having to make an incision or remove the anus, patients are often only under surgery for as little as an hour and have often can leave the hospital in less than 24 hours. It also leads to faster recovery and fewer complications.

Advanced Robotic Surgery –  Developed to provide more flexibility and visibility than laparoscopic surgery while still not requiring an incision. Surgeons place a surgical camera and instruments through the anus, while a surgeon using a state-of-the-art 360 console directs the camera and instruments in real-time. 

This procedure allows surgeons to perform incisions with absolute precision, allowing the surgeon to only make tiny incisions instead of the lengthy cuts made before. This leads to low recovery times, and an even lower risk of complication and infection.

Laparoscopic colon resection surgery –  For patients who still require some sort of incision to be made LCR surgery allows the surgeon to use 4-5 small incisions into the body instead of one large incision in earlier procedures. Then a surgeon is able to insert specialized equipment that allows the surgeon greater visibility without having to increase the size of the incision.

While not appropriate to all patients, this form of surgery allows for a quicker recovery time as well as less pain after the procedure.

Colorectal Cancer Surgery has made huge advances since its inception. Procedures are safer, more accurate and precise, and lead to faster recoveries with a fast return to normal life. 

September 22, 2021

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Surgery Group LA is a team of professional and board-licensed surgeons, who specialize of their respective fields. The institution’s project to offer sufferers with advanced and complete surgical care.

Patient Resources

310-861-7493

8635 W 3rd St #880 W
Los Angeles, CA 90048
[email protected]

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