CentraState - Healthy Directions

Trust your gut W hen Judy Berman, 71, began experiencing strange abdominal pain during a quiet evening at home, her instincts told her that something was wrong. She went to the office of her gastroenterologist, Brian Weiner, MD, with Marlboro Gastroenterology PC and on staff at CentraState Medical Center, who sent her for a computed tomography scan to determine the cause of her pain. After the scan was performed, she was sent immediately to the Emergency Department at CentraState. Dr. Weiner diagnosed Judy with a perforated colon—a condition that occurs when the contents of the intestines flow through a hole in the intestinal wall. Amit Kharod, MD, board-certified surgeon Tushar Patel, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon Judy was admitted to CentraState and stayed for six weeks, during which time she went through three surgical procedures, including a colostomy. As a result of this type of surgery, Judy developed a hernia in her abdomen. Judy had a colostomy reversal and hernia repair in a single procedure An Extraordinary Collaboration For patients suffering from hernias related to previous surgical procedures, CentraState Medical Center provides a surgery that combines repair and abdominal wall reconstruction. Working together, Amit Kharod, MD, FACS, and Tushar Patel, MD, FACS, can perform both procedures at the same time. "We select patients who would benefit from our dual approach to determine whom we operate on together," Dr. Patel says. "Dr. Kharod focuses on 4 January/February 2012 intestinal repair, and I am responsible for strengthening the abdominal wall and removing excess weight that could strain the hernia repair." Patients undergo the hernia repair while also regaining strength in the abdominal wall through reconstruction of the weakened fascia—the strength layer of the abdominal wall. Special biologic mesh is used to support the hernia repair and strengthen the abdominal wall. Patients typically only stay in the hospital for two to three days after the surgery is performed. Together, Drs. Kharod and Patel have completed more than 50 of these procedures. "Treatment of hernias is developed on a case-by-case basis," Dr. Kharod says. "Although abdominal wall reconstruction is reserved for more complex circumstances, the patients who have been candidates have been pleased with the results." Healthy Directions Following a unique dual surgical procedure to repair a hernia and reverse a colostomy, Judy Berman is living a full life—spending time with family, baking, and traveling. performed by Amit Kharod, MD, FACS, board-certified surgeon and assistant chair, Surgery, CentraState, and Tushar Patel, MD, FACS, board-certified plastic surgeon on staff at CentraState. "While I was at CentraState, the entire staff provided unbelievable care to me and my family," Judy says. "Being in the hospital can be a stressful and scary experience, but the professionalism and caring of Drs. Kharod and Patel and all the nurses made my stay at CentraState as easy as possible." a hEalThy REcovERy After returning home from the hospital, Judy began recovery with the help of visiting nurses and therapists. Now that her recovery is complete, Judy is happy to be back to living the life she loves. For more information about surgical procedures at CentraState, visit www.centrastate.com/surgery. For more information about the CentraState Fitness and Wellness Center, visit www.centrastatefitness.com. HD

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