| Minimally invasive surgery or Laparoscopic
surgery, is being used to treat many different types of cancer
and other health related problems as an alternative to open
surgery. This story is about liver cancer, which will strike
nearly 18,000 people in the United States this year. Transplants
and invasive surgeries are standard treatment options. Now,
a less invasive approach offers a better option for patients.
Working with his wife helps Judson Russ get through
his hectic days with a smile – and some exciting news
just made life even brighter."Recently, I found out
my wife is now pregnant," he said.
But a few months ago, Russ wasn't sure he'd be around to
see their first child. He was diagnosed with liver cancer.
Doctors said he needed a transplant. "I made the mistake
of asking, 'So if I don’t do this transplant, how
long do I have?' They told me six months to a year. At that
point you’re in shock," Russ said.
Then he met laparoscopic surgeon Jay Redan, M.D., who found
he didn't need a transplant after all. Not only could Redan
remove the tumor with surgery, but he could do it laparoscopically,
which is the same surgery but uses smaller tools and has
a smaller incision. "The big difference is they’re
going to have much less pain, faster recovery. In terms
of cancer procedures, someone can start their cancer treatment
sooner, and hopefully even have a better long-term outcome,"
said Redan, who is from Florida Hospital in Orlando.
These tools allow surgeons to make a much smaller incision,
and the magnified images make dissection safer and more
precise.
Redan is one of only a handful of doctors performing laparoscopic
surgery on organs like the liver – a trend he hopes
will change. "If anyone tells you that you have to
an open operation, I would always recommend to someone to
seek out a possible alternative," he said. Russ is
thankful he did. He was out of the hospital the next day
and back to work in two weeks. "It's like a war story,”
he said. This is what happened, and I dealt with it and
came through fine."Now, he looks forward to watching
his child grow up.
Open surgery may be necessary when tumors are very large.
Transplants may be the only option or some patients, but
overall, Redan says most patients are candidates for the
laparoscopic procedure.
Courtesy of:News 14 Carolina
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