Our Surgical Services

An effective weight-loss option

Losing weight can be extremely difficult, and for people who have 100 pounds or more to lose, it can be even more challenging. For some, weight-loss surgery may offer a solution where other methods have failed. Bariatric surgery can be life transforming, offering individuals an opportunity to lead a more active and satisfying life.

Bariatric surgery options

Stringfellow Memorial’s bariatric surgery program provides education and support that begins before surgery and extends through recovery to ensure individuals are set up for success. Our bariatric surgery program includes nutrition and fitness education to provide individuals with the tools they need to maintain long-term weight loss. Stringfellow Memorial’s experienced surgeons specialize in bariatric surgery, and offer proven weight-loss techniques such as:

• Lap-Band® Adjustable Gastric Banding – A less-invasive procedure that places a device around the upper part of the stomach to help you feel full sooner and longer. It’s a healthy way to lose a significant amount of weight and enjoy long-term results. Surgeons can easily change the diameter of the band to meet weight-loss needs, and the procedure is also reversible. This technique offers less pain and trauma, and a quicker recovery than traditional weight-loss surgery methods.
• Gastric bypass – There are several types of procedures that are used, but all of them bypass part of the small intestine that absorbs nutrients. Bypass techniques involve stapling off an area of the stomach to create a smaller pouch or surgically removing part of the stomach, both of which create a smaller stomach area.

Stringfellow Memorial is a Bariatric Center of Excellence

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in bariatric surgery.

To earn a Center of Excellence designation, Stringfellow and Dr. Clifford Black underwent a series of site inspections during which all aspects of the program’s surgical processes were closely examined and data on health outcomes was collected.

Find out if bariatric surgery is right for you

Dr. Clifford Black is a Bariatric Center of Excellence Physician. Other physicians on staff that perform lap band procedures are Dr. George Crawford and Dr. Ashley Stewart.

*Weight loss surgery:  Patient results may vary. Consult your physician about the benefits and risks of weight loss surgery.

Surgical expertise for breast cancer treatment

Surgery is often the primary treatment for breast cancer in order to remove as much of the cancerous tissue as possible. RMC’s surgeons collaborate with a multidisciplinary cancer care team to plan the best course of treatment for each patient. Surgeons are well equipped to perform a range of surgical procedures, including:

• Lumpectomy
• Partial mastectomy
• Total mastectomy
• Breast reconstruction

RMC offers a variety of cancer support services to meet the unique needs of cancer patients and their families, including care management assistance, support groups and special services just for women.

Cardiovascular surgery expertise

When you are looking for heart surgery expertise, RMC  is known for advanced cardiovascular care. Our cardiovascular surgeons are equipped to perform a range of surgical treatment options, including minimally invasive procedures. We offer surgical options to treat cardiovascular disease, including:

• Coronary and peripheral vascular interventions
• Angioplasty
• Coronary bypass surgery
• Valve surgery
• Arrhythmia bypass surgery
• Transmyocardial revascularization
• Cardiac Rhythm Management (pacemakers/internal cardiac defibrillators/reveal devices)

Minimally invasive exam of the colon

A colonoscopy is an internal examination of the colon (large intestine) and rectum, using a thin, flexible tube with a camera called a colonoscope. The doctor uses a video monitor to look for abnormalities such as ulcers, polyps, tumors, or areas of inflammation or bleeding. If any irregularities are found, they can be biopsied or removed.

This outpatient exam is often used to screen for colon cancer or to evaluate symptoms such as abdominal pain, change in bowel habits or unexplained weight loss, among other symptoms. It can be completed in less than an hour and is performed under mild sedation to relieve any discomfort.

Colonoscopy for treatment

Colonoscopy can also be used to treat certain diseases, including removal of polyps, widening narrowed areas or blockages, or addressing bleeding from diverticula or lesions. Specialized procedures, such as laser surgery or cauterizing techniques, may also be performed during a colonoscopy.

Progressive techniques and expertise in colorectal surgery

RMC’s surgeons offer a high level of expertise in colon and rectal surgery. Whenever possible, surgeons use minimally invasive techniques for colorectal conditions, such as laparoscopic procedures, which offer smaller incisions, less pain and a quicker recovery.

Our surgeons work closely with gastroenterologists and other specialists to provide comprehensive and supportive care for conditions such as:

• Colon and rectal cancer
• Colon motility problems, such as chronic constipation and bowel incontinence
• Diverticular disease
• Hemorrhoids, fissure and fistula
• Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• Polyps

Advanced surgical treatment for ear, nose and throat conditions

RMC offers a range of surgical treatments to address ear, nose and throat conditions, including minimally invasive endoscopic techniques. Our ear, nose and throat doctors (otolaryngologists or ENT doctors) have a broad range of experience to provide surgical treatment for everything from nasal congestion and hearing disorders to a deviated septum or broken nose.

Our board-certified ENT doctors have the training and expertise to provide a full range of treatment options, including:

• Hearing-loss solutions, including cochlear implants, bone conduction devices and ear-tube surgery
• Laryngeal and voice solutions
• Plastic and reconstructive surgery of the head and neck
• Skull base tumor treatment
• Sinus surgery, including laser treatments, endoscopic techniques and radiofrequency ablation
• Septoplasty
• Treatments to correct chronic snoring, sleep apnea and other related disorders
• Turbinate surgery

Surgical techniques and technology

We are committed to providing patients with advanced technologies and treatment options, including some of the latest minimally invasive techniques such as:

• Balloon Sinuplasty™ – In this procedure, small, flexible devices are inserted into the nostrils to gently open blocked sinus openings to alleviate symptoms of chronic sinusitis. This technique results in less bleeding, a quicker recovery, and does not limit further treatment options.

RMC is dedicated to offering skilled surgical treatment and options to patients, right here close to home.

Endoscopic examination and treatment

Endoscopy allows your doctor to visualize various areas inside your body using an endoscope, a thin, flexible tube fitted with a camera. A number of endoscopic procedures are used to examine various parts of the body or treat certain conditions, including:

• Arthroscopy visualizes inside the joints
• Bronchoscopy examines the airways and lungs
• Colonoscopy looks at the large intestine and rectum
• Cystoscopy views the inside of the bladder
• Enteroscopy studies the small intestine (small bowel)
• Laparoscopy explores the abdomen or pelvis
• Sigmoidoscopy assesses the lower part of the colon
• Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy investigates the esophagus and stomach

Minimally invasive techniques

During the exam, an endoscope is passed through a natural opening in the body (such as the mouth or anus) or your doctor may make a small incision, such as in the pelvic or abdominal area for a laparoscopic exam.

Endoscopy can also be used to perform a biopsy or remove tissue, and the endoscope can be fitted with various devices such as lasers, ultrasound devices or tiny surgical instruments. A mild sedative is used during most endoscopic procedures.

Innovative surgical techniques to improve eyesight

With today’s advances in eye surgery technology, there are a wide range of options to improve eyesight. RMC offers some of the latest techniques to treat vision problems.

Our ophthalmologic surgeons use advanced technology, such as sophisticated operating microscopes and ultrasound techniques, to preserve or improve eyesight. RMC’s surgeons specialize in:

• Cataract surgery (phacoemulsification) with lens implant
• Corneal transplant surgery
• Glaucoma treatment and surgery
• Refractive surgery
• Retinal surgery
• Ocular plastic and reconstructive surgery
• Muscle surgery

Specialized surgical treatments

RMC’s gynecologic surgeons are well equipped to deliver specialized surgical treatment for a variety of conditions. Our caring team of doctors, surgeons and specialized nurses are focused on providing exceptional care.

Our gynecologic surgeons utilize the latest in surgical technology, including minimally invasive techniques, which offer less pain, smaller scars and a quicker recovery. We offer a full spectrum of gynecologic surgery procedures, including:

• Minimally invasive techniques
• Endometrial ablation
• Surgery for urinary incontinence
• Embolization to treat fibroids
• Vaginal reconstruction

Specialized care for the hand, wrist and forearm

RMC’s orthopedic hand specialists are well equipped to treat a full range of complex hand, wrist and forearm conditions caused by trauma, congenital malformation and degenerative disease. We provide expert surgical treatment to address the bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage of the hand, wrist and elbow, utilizing the latest minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.

Our orthopedic surgeons provide a broad range of services, including:

• Arthritis surgery
• Carpal or cubital tunnel release
• Elbow and wrist arthroscopy
• Joint replacement
• Nerve and tendon transfers
• Reconstructive hand, wrist and elbow surgery

Whether you are seeking care for a repetitive stress injury, tendon or ligament tears, vascular conditions, ganglion cysts or other conditions, our trained upper extremity specialists can provide expert surgical care.

Minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques

A hernia occurs when the inside layers of the abdominal wall weaken, allowing tissue to bulge out of the weakened area. During hernia repair, the bulging tissue is pushed back in and the abdominal wall is repaired using stitches or mesh.

Whenever possible, RMC’s surgeons use minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques for hernia repair. Laparoscopic hernia surgery utilizes a thin, telescope-like instrument known as an endoscope that is inserted through a small incision. The endoscope is fitted with a tiny video camera that allows the surgeon to visualize the area on screen and repair the weakened area. Because the procedure only requires small incisions, patients have less scarring, pain and a quicker recovery.

Our surgeons are well equipped to perform both laparoscopic and conventional hernia repair techniques for various types of hernias, including:

• Epigastric (mid abdomen)
• Hiatal (upper stomach)
• Incisional (occurring through a scar)
• Inguinal (groin)
• Femoral (upper thigh)
• Umbilical (belly button)

Less pain, quicker recovery

Laser surgery uses special light beams instead of instruments for surgical procedures, and can offer an alternative to traditional surgery for a number of medical concerns. Laser surgery poses a minimal risk of infection, causes less trauma to tissues, and can offer a quicker recovery for patients.

With more than a dozen different lasers tailored to treat specific medical conditions, Stringfellow Memorial offers laser surgery for:

• Kidney stone removal
• Eye surgery
• Tumor removal
• Various oral, gynecological, ear, nose and throat conditions

Laser techniques are also used in a variety of cosmetic procedures.

RMC’s board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons provide a full range of services to address conditions of the mouth, teeth and facial region. Our specialists provide quality, patient-centered care utilizing state-of-the-art equipment, and have the training and expertise to provide a full range of services, including:

• Bone grafting
• Corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery)
• Dental implants
• Diagnosis and treatment of facial pain
• Facial trauma management and reconstruction
• Pre-prosthetic surgery to prepare the mouth for dentures
• Surgery to correct cleft lip and palate
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disease procedures, including arthroscopy
• Wisdom teeth extraction

Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons utilize the latest techniques and provide high-quality care in a safe, comfortable environment.

Advanced surgical techniques and expertise

Whether you require tendon or muscle repair, spine surgery or total joint replacement, our board-certified orthopedic surgeons are able to perform even the most complex procedures.RMC’s orthopedic doctors and surgeons work collaboratively with pain management and rehabilitation specialists to ensure you receive comprehensive care to address your specific needs.

We use minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, including arthroscopic, and offer a full range of services, including:

• Diskectomy
• Foot and ankle procedures
• Hand and wrist surgery
• Hip resurfacing
• Laminectomy
• Reconstructive surgery
• Shoulder surgery
• Spine surgery, including discectomy, laminectomy, spinal fusion and vertebroplasty
• Total replacement of the hip, knee, shoulder and elbow

Family-centered approach to children’s care

RMC provides high-quality, compassionate and family-centered care to infants, children and adolescents. Our comprehensive care combines medical expertise, surgical technology, and clinicians who are focused on making children and their families as comfortable as possible. We offer:

• Comprehensive evaluations, including consultations and second opinions on complicated cases
• Outpatient and same-day surgeries
• Specialized care for children, including advanced ICU monitoring and management
• Short- and long-term management of childhood disease
• Family support, before and after surgery
• Private, hospital rooms designed to allow parents to stay with their child in comfort, and special play areas for children

Pediatric surgery expertise

Our surgeons use minimally invasive approaches whenever possible, and utilize various surgical techniques and treatment options, including laparoscopy. We provide expert care for everything from appendicitis to complex conditions such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia and chest wall malformations, as well as:

• Cardiac diseases and cancer
• Congenital malformations, including orthopedic anomalies
• Newborn anomalies of the airway, gastrointestinal tract and urological system
• Pediatric tumors
• Hernias, hydroceles and congenital abdominal wall defects
• Pediatric trauma

At RMC, our pediatric surgery team is focused on providing quality care and keeping parents well informed every step of the way. You can depend on caring professionals who are there to answer your questions and prepare you for what to expect before, during and after your child’s surgery.

The latest techniques in cosmetic surgery

RMC offers a full range of laser and cosmetic surgery options, delivered by a highly skilled multidisciplinary team of board-certified plastic surgeons, laser technicians, specialized nurses and trained clinicians.

Whether you’re interested in laser surgery to minimize wrinkles or age spots, or are considering surgical contouring procedure such as a tummy tuck or breast reconstructive surgery, we offer some of the latest techniques in cosmetic surgery:

• Laser skin resurfacing, to correct skin imperfections such as wrinkles, freckles, scars, age spots and port wine birthmarks
• Facelift (rhytidectomy)
• Eyelid surgery (blepharosplasty)
• Breast augmentation, reduction or reconstruction after breast surgery
• Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty)
• Liposuction, including ultrasound techniques
• Nose surgery (rhinoplasty), to correct breathing problems or improve appearance

The prostate is a male reproductive gland that produces a fluid found in semen. Located below the bladder and in front of the rectum, the prostate surrounds the urethra — the tube that empties urine from the bladder.

Prostate cancer affects the prostate gland and may spread to surrounding structures. While most men with prostate cancer have no symptoms, physician can find prostate cancer during a regular checkup, using a combination of a blood test called a PSA and a digital rectal exam (DRE).

Nearly one in six American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. With greater awareness, prostate cancer detection is on the rise and mortality is declining. Moreover, better treatments are allowing more men to return to active and productive lives after treatment.

Treatment Options

If the you have an early diagnosis of prostate cancer, there is usually a range of treatment options. These may include conservative management, radiation therapy with either external beam or brachytherapy therapy, cryosurgery and prostatectomy – surgical removal of the prostate. Your treatment options will depend on a number of factors, including the stage of the disease, your age and health or personal preference.

Prostatectomy

The gold standard treatment option for men under 70 with early-stage, organ-confined cancer is surgical removal of the prostate using nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. Prostatectomy is also the most widely used treatment for prostate cancer today in the US.1

The primary goal of prostatectomy is removal of the cancer. A secondary goal is to preserve urinary function and — when applicable — erectile function. Preservation of the nerves necessary for erections can be an extremely important goal for patients. These nerves run alongside the prostate and are often damaged when removing the prostate. A nerve-sparing prostatectomy attempts to preserve these nerves so that the patient may be able to return to his prior erectile function.

Types of Prostatectomy

Approaches to this procedure include traditional open surgery, conventional laparoscopic surgery or da Vinci ® Prostatectomy, which is a robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery.

With a traditional open procedure, your surgeon uses an 8-10 inch incision to access the prostate. This approach often results in substantial blood loss, a lengthy, uncomfortable recovery and a risk of impotence and incontinence.

Conventional laparoscopy uses a specialized surgical camera and rigid instruments to access and remove the prostate using a series of small incisions. This approach provides your surgeon with better visualization than an open approach. In addition, it provides patients the benefits of a minimally invasive procedure.

Despite these advantages, conventional laparoscopy relies on rigid instruments and standard 2D video, technical limitations that can be challenging for the surgeon. Because of these drawbacks, conventional laparoscopy doesn’t lend itself well to complex procedures like prostatectomy. Therefore, very few urologists use this approach for prostatectomy. Moreover, neither laparoscopy nor open surgery can provide adequate visualization for a very precise, nerve-sparing prostatectomy.

da Vinci® Prostatectomy

Referred to by many as robotic surgery for prostate cancer or robotic prostatectomy, da Vinci® Prostatectomy is more accurately a robot-assisted, minimally invasive surgery that is quickly becoming the preferred treatment for removal of the prostate following early diagnosis of prostate cancer. In fact, studies suggest that da Vinci Prostatectomy may be the most effective, least invasive prostate surgery performed today.

Though any diagnosis of cancer can be traumatic, the good news is that if your doctor recommends prostate surgery, the cancer was probably caught early. And, with da Vinci Prostatectomy, the likelihood of a complete recovery from prostate cancer without long-term side effects is, for most patients, better than it has ever been.

da Vinci® Prostatectomy is performed with the assistance of the da Vinci® Surgical System – the latest evolution in robotics technology. The da Vinci® Surgical System enables surgeons to operate with unmatched precision and control using only a few small incisions. Recent studies suggest that da Vinci® Prostatectomy may offer improved cancer control and a faster return to potency and continence.1 da Vinci® Prostatectomy also offers these potential benefits:

• Significantly less pain
• Less blood loss
• Fewer complications
• Less scarring
• A shorter hospital stay
• And a faster return to normal daily activities

If you are a candidate for prostate surgery, talk to a surgeon who performs da Vinci® Prostatectomy.

Note: While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci® System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci® Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.

When medication and other non-surgical treatments are either unavailable or cannot relieve symptoms, surgery is the accepted treatment for a broad range of conditions that affect the male reproductive organs and the organs of the urinary tract. These conditions include, but are not limited to, prostate cancer, ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction, bladder and kidney cancer and vesicoureteral reflux.

Facing any kind of urologic surgery creates a great deal of anxiety for most men. Among your concerns is: “Will my body function normally following surgery?” Traditional open urologic surgery – in which large incisions are made to access the pelvic organs – has been the standard approach when surgery is warranted. Yet common drawbacks of this procedure include significant post-surgical pain, a lengthy recovery and an unpredictable, potentially long-term impact on continence and sexual function.

Fortunately, less invasive surgical options are available to many patients facing urologic surgery. The most common of these is laparoscopy, which uses small incisions. While laparoscopy can be very effective for many routine procedures, limitations of this technology prevent its use for more complex urologic surgeries.

A new category of surgery, introduced with the development of the da Vinci® Surgical System, is being used by an increasing number of surgeons worldwide for prostatectomy and other urologic procedures. This minimally invasive approach, utilizing the latest in surgical and robotics technologies, is ideal for delicate urologic surgery. This includes prostatectomy, in which the target site is not only tightly confined but also surrounded by nerves affecting urinary control and sexual function. Using da Vinci, your surgeon has a better tool to spare surrounding nerves, which may enhance both your recovery experience and clinical outcomes.

Techniques in urologic surgery

Stringfellow Memorial’s urologic surgeons offer progressive surgical methods to treat urinary tract conditions.

Our specialized surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to treat urological conditions whenever possible, which offer patients less pain and scarring, and a quicker recovery.

Our urologic surgical team is well-equipped to offer surgical techniques to treat a wide range of conditions, including:

• Prostate cancer, including prostatectomy
• Bladder disorders
• Kidney stones, including laser surgery techniques
• Pelvic conditions

Minimally invasive vascular surgery

Vascular surgeons can perform a variety of surgical procedures using minimally invasive options to address vascular and venous conditions, using lasers, ultrasound and catheter-based techniques.

RMC’s vascular surgeons use advanced imaging and surgical technology to offer the latest techniques in vascular surgery to provide treatment for everything from aneurysms and carotid artery blockages, to peripheral vascular and venous diseases. Our highly skilled vascular surgeons can provide a range of surgical treatments, including:

• Aneurysm repair
• Angioplasty
• Embolization
• Stenting
• Thrombolysis
• Varicose and spider vein treatment