CentraState - Healthy Directions

Increasing Patient Comfort through Single-Incision Surgery J ackson resident Helen Cerulli, 61, underwent a routine colonoscopy screening on April Fool’s Day in 2010, but the results were nothing to joke about. During the procedure, the gastroenterologist found a suspicious bulge in the right side of Helen’s colon. He referred her for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to examine the upper and lower portions of her abdomen. Based on the MRI findings, as well as the findings of the colonoscopy, her doctor suspected she would require surgery and referred her for a consultation to Jarrod Kaufman, MD, a board-certified surgeon with Advanced Surgical Associates of Central Jersey and on the medical staff at CentraState Medical Center. After a computed tomography (CT) scan recommended by Dr. Kaufman and an appointment to review the imaging results, Helen was scheduled for surgery to remove the abdominal lesions in August. “I had no symptoms at all prior to my colonoscopy,” says Helen. “Luckily, the tumor was benign. Had I not gone for my routine screening [every 10 years after age 50, as recommended by the American Cancer Society], I would have never even known it was there.” ADVANCED SURGICAL SERVICES Dr. Kaufman was able to remove the mass in Helen’s colon by performing a single-incision laparoscopic (SILS™) procedure, an advanced, minimally invasive technique that allows surgeons to treat certain problems through one single small incision hidden in the navel. SILS uses the same basic SILS™ Procedures Single-incision, laparoscopic surgery (SILS), an advanced minimally invasive procedure, can be used for appropriate patients undergoing various surgical procedures, including: • Appendectomy • Colon resection • Gallbladder removal. 8 July/August 2011 instrumentation as traditional multi- incision laparoscopic surgery with some adaptations. “The SILS procedure offers patients the potential benefits of multi-incision laparoscopic surgery—including less pain and a shorter recovery time—plus a cosmetic advantage because there’s only one incision and it is hidden in the navel,” says Dr. Kaufman. “For patients with small lesions that are more than likely benign, it presents a great treatment option. We’ve primarily used the technology for removal of the gallbladder, appendix, or parts of the colon.” CentraState is among select medical centers in New Jersey that have surgeons on staff with the expertise required to perform SILS. Helen spent two nights in the hospital after her procedure. “From the moment I walked in for surgery to the moment I was discharged, the entire staff was very kind and efficient,” she says. “At each shift change, the nurses and patient care technicians would come Jarrod Kaufman, MD, board-certified surgeon into my room and introduce themselves to me, so I would know who to call if I needed assistance. They checked on me often and explained everything they were doing at each visit. I could not have asked for a better experience.” When Helen had her post-surgical follow-up with Dr. Kaufman about a week after her surgery, the doctor informed her that she would need no further treatment. Within two weeks of the procedure, Helen was able to return to her favorite activities, including Jazzercise® dance fitness classes, reading, and serving as secretary of the Rotary Club of Jackson. For more information about surgical services provided at CentraState, visit www.centrastate.com/surgery or call (866) CENTRA7 (866-236-8727). HD Within two weeks of her SILS procedure to remove a tumor in her colon, Helen Cerulli was able to return to her high-energy dance fi tness classes. Healthy Directions

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