The upside of advanced surgery: Less pain and shorter recovery
Ask
Christopher Boynton, MD, Virtua general surgeon, how many minimally invasive surgeries he has performed, and the answer is impressive. Over the past 14 years, Dr. Boynton has completed approximately 7,000 minimally invasive, laparoscopic procedures. It's a good reason to feel reassured if you're one of his patients.
Stephen Allen's story
Thirty-six year old Stephen Allen, a patient of Dr. Boynton's, would certainly agree. After months of suffering from anemia, weakness and other serious symptoms, Allen was referred to Dr. Boynton. An MRI showed two lesions at the base of Allen's pancreas, and Dr. Boynton recommended their immediate removal.
"It was important to determine if the pancreatic lesions were cancerous or benign," says Dr. Boynton. "Fortunately, I was able to use an advanced, minimally invasive technique. I made four quarter-inch incisions instead of a seven-inch incision. I inserted the laparoscope into one of the incisions and discovered not two but five cysts, all of which were benign — the best possible news. And since the operation was performed laparoscopically, it made a real difference in post-operative pain and recovery time, reducing it from eight weeks to about four."
An option for lung and chest surgery
Advanced minimally invasive techniques are also available for lung and chest surgery.
Chris Derivaux, MD, Virtua thoracic surgeon, explains: "A traditional lung thoracotomy requires a seven- to eight-inch incision, which includes spreading the person's ribs to reach the lung. The thoroscopic version of this procedure only requires a three-inch incision, and does not spread the ribs. This allows patients to recover faster and get back to their work and lives. It's a technique applicable for everything from a routine lung biopsy to removal of a cancerous tumor deep in the center of a lung."
Breakthroughs in gynecologic surgery
Laparoscopic breakthroughs are also making a difference in the area of gynecology.
Donna D'Elia, MD, Virtua gynecologic surgeon, notes: "Right now, I'm performing laparoscopic vaginal hysterectomies and oophorectomies, removal of the ovaries."
Physicians are also able to offer women a total hysterectomy making just three small incisions, which can shorten recovery time.
To consult with a Virtua surgeon near you, call
1-888-Virtua-3.
Meet the physicians
Christopher Boynton, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon. Dr. Boynton graduated from UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and completed a residency in general surgery at Hahnemann University Hospital.
Christopher Derivaux, MD, is a board-certified thoracic surgeon. He graduated from UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and completed a surgical residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. He earned a fellowship in thoracic surgery at New York University Medical Center.
Donna D'Elia, MD, is a board-certified gynecologist and obstetrician. She serves as vice-chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at Virtua West Jersey Hospitals. During 13 years of practice, Dr. D'Elia has provided women with a full complement of gynecological services including surgery and the delivery of more than 3,000 babies.