A Belly Button Makes Great Camouflage

Eugene Zurkovsky, M.D., is a general surgeon who specializes in laparoscopic techniques, which are minimally invasive ways to operate. They leave very few and very small scars. Now, he is also performing a new surgical technique called singlesite surgery.

With single-site surgery, an incision is made through the belly button. All the instruments required for the surgery are placed through that incision. In the end, Dr. Zurkovsky removes the specimen through that same incision. This technique can be used to operate on organs such as the appendix, gallbladder, colon, and spleen, just to name a few.

According to Dr. Zurkovsky, “This technique offers the same advantages as laparoscopic surgery, such as quick recovery, decreased pain, and fast return to normal activities. The additional advantage is that there are no visible scars.”

Each patient is evaluated individually to determine if they are a candidate for the single-site procedure. Obesity, severely inflamed gallbladders, or patients with multiple previous surgeries may make this type of surgery technically difficult. “The main concern is always patient safety, so regular laparoscopy may be necessary in those patients,” says Dr. Zurkovsky.

A Private Approach to a Common Problem

When it comes to problems in private areas, many women are often too embarrassed or scared to do anything about it. This is especially the case for millions of women who suffer from two very common conditions – incontinence and bladder prolapse.

Prolapse occurs when the vaginal wall, which supports the bladder, weakens or loosens with age. Childbirth can also damage this part of the vaginal wall. When this happens, the bladder descends into the vagina because it is no longer supported. Many women describe this as an uncomfortable feeling in the vagina because they can actually feel the tissue dropping down. In addition to discomfort, prolapsed can trigger problems such as urinary difficulties and stress incontinence, which is leakage caused by sneezing, coughing, or exertion.

At Ocean Medical Center, two surgeons recently paired up to help a patient who lived with bladder prolapse and incontinence for nearly eight months before seeking medical advice. Once diagnosed, urologists Gary Linn, M.D. and Robyn Leitner, M.D. offered a unique and relatively easy treatment option.

Unlike traditional surgery where doctors make an incision in the abdomen, the urologists used a procedure that left no visible signs because it was done by one incision through the vagina. During the surgery, Dr. Leitner applied a fairly new technique that used a mesh material to hold up the bladder, and Dr. Linn used a sling to support the urethra, which would treat the incontinence problem.

“These are very common problems, but many women choose not to do anything about it because they are scared,” says Dr. Leitner. “The procedure takes less than an hour and usually requires one night in the hospital to be monitored. It’s revolutionized how we fix a patient.”

“There are great options available,” says Dr. Linn. “And with the vaginal approach for surgery, there is quicker recovery, less bleeding, and nearly no pain.”

Surgical Options, Close to Home

The single-site and vaginalapproach procedures are just a few of the innovative surgical options that patients can find at Ocean Medical Center. The surgeons at Ocean pride themselves in bringing the latest technology and procedures to our local community.

Whether it be minimally invasive surgery, or more extensive orthopedic and joint replacement procedures, patients have tremendous options, close to home. In fact, specialists in vascular, breast, and thoracic (lung) surgery are just a few of the experts who are doing innovative and cutting edge procedures.

For a full list of medical experts at Ocean Medical Center, call 1-800-DOCTORS for a free physician directory or a free physician referral.