Education is an important part of preparing for surgery and reducing stress. This section provides information to educate you on the common surgeries and procedures performed at this facility, as well as other resources for information available to you.
Every surgery or procedure is unique. Therefore, you should always consult your physician with specific questions about your surgery or procedure. The information provided in this section is presented as general guidelines. If at any time, the instructions on this website are different from or contradict those given to you by your physician or nurse, always defer to the instructions from the medical professional.
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
- Adenoidectomy
- Arthroscopic Surgery
- Bunionectomy
- Cataract Removal
- Hammertoe Repair
- Lithotripsy
- Pain Management Injection
- Rotator Cuff Repair
- Tonsillectomy
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
ACL Reconstruction is surgery to replace the torn ligament with an autograft (tissue from the patient's own body) or an allograft (tissue from a cadaver). The most common autografts use part of the patellar tendon (the tendon in the front of the knee) or use the hamstring tendons. Each type of graft has small advantages and disadvantages, and work well for many people.
The procedure is usually performed by knee arthroscopy. The surgeon will replace the ACL. Additional small incisions are made around the knee to place the new ligament. The old ligament will be removed using a shaver or other instruments. Bone tunnels will be made to place the new ligament in the knee at the site of the old ACL. If the patient's own tissue is to be used for the new ligament, a larger, "open" incision will be made to take the tissue. The new ligament is then fixed to the bone using screws or other devices to hold the ligament in place.
Adenoidectomy
Adenoidectomy is the surgical removal of the adenoid glands, which are located between the nasal airway and the back of the throat. This surgery is often done in conjunction with a tonsillectomy.
While the patient is under general anesthesia, the ENT surgeon props open the patient's mouth with a small instrument. The adenoid tissue is cauterized or removed with a curette or a microdebrider. Bleeding is controlled with packing or cauterization.
Arthroscopic Surgery
Arthroscopic Surgery is used to diagnose and treat many joint problems. This significant advance in joint care allows for rapid return to improved activity. Most commonly used in knees, shoulders and ankles, the arthroscope can also be used for spine, hip, wrists and elbows.
Step 1 - Two small incisions are made around the join area. Surgical instruments will be positioned in these incisions.
Step 2 - A tube-like needle is inserted in one incision. Fluid is pumped through the tube and into the joint. This expands the joint, giving the surgeon a clear view and room to work. The tube will also be used as drainage needle to regulate the amount of fluid in the joint during the procedure.
Step 3 - Through another incision, the surgeon insets the arthroscope. This instrument has a light and a small video camera that send images to a TV monitor in the operating room.
Step 4 - With the video images from the arthroscope as a guide, the surgeon can look for damaged tissue. If the surgeon sees an opportunity to treat a problem, a variety of small surgical instruments can be inserted through the third small incision.
Step 5 - The surgeon may close the incisions with stitches or tape. Recovery from arthroscopy is faster than recovery from traditional open joint surgery.
Bunionectomy
A bunion is a painful deformity of the bones and joint between the foot and the big toe. Long-term irritation caused by poorly fitting and/or high-heeled shoes, arthritis, or heredity causes the joint to thicken and enlarge. This causes the big toe to angle in toward and over the second toe, the foot bone (metatarsal) to angle out toward the other foot, and the skin to thicken
Surgical removal of a bunion is usually done while the patient is under general anesthesia and rarely requires a hospital stay. An incision is made along the bones of the big toe into the foot. The deformed joint and bones are repaired, and the bones are stabilized with a pin and/or cast.
Cataract Removal
Cataract is a "clouding" of the lens in your eye. In Cataract Surgery a tiny incision is made in the eye. With the help of a microscope, the surgeon will make a small incision at the junction of the clear and white outer parts of the eye. Depending on the type of cataract, the lens may be removed with suction and surgical instruments or with suction and a machine that uses high frequency sound waves to break up the lens. An artificial lens is usually inserted to help the eye focus. The incision maybe closed with fine stitches or it may be self sealing.
Once the clouded lens has been removed, the next step is to replace it. That is, to implant an artificial lens that will do the work of your own lens. This artificial lens is referred to as an intraocular lens or IOL.
After the surgery, you'll be given a short time to rest. Drops will be prescribed to guard against infection and help your eyes heal. For a few days, you may need to wear a clear shield, especially at night, to prevent you from rubbing your eye.
Hammertoe Repair
Hammertoe is a bending of one or both joints of a toe. This deformity can put excessive pressure on the toe resulting in pain and discomfort.
Arthroplasty is the most common surgical procedure to correct hammertoe. In this procedure, the surgeon straightens the toe by removing a small section of the bone from the affected joint.
Arthrodesis is another surgical procedure to correct hammertoe and is usually reserved for the more advanced cases. In this procedure, the surgeon fuses a small joint in the toe to straighten it. A pin is typically used to hold the toe in position while the bone is healing.
Other procedures may be necessary in more severe cases, including skin wedging (the removal of wedges of skin), tendon/muscle rebalancing or lengthening, small tendon transfers, or relocation of surrounding joints.
Lithotripsy
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a technique for treating stones in the kidney and ureter that does not require surgery. Instead, high energy shock waves are passed through the body and used to break stones into pieces as small as grains of sand. Because of their small size, these pieces can pass from the body along with the urine.
Pain Management Injection
The most common type of pain management procedure is an Epidural Steroid Injection or Spinal Epidural Injection. Prior to an epidural steroid injection, the patient's skin is cleaned with a sterilizing solution and a sterile drape is placed over the skin. Local anesthesia is injected into the skin to provide numbness at the injection site. The steroid injection consists of a local anesthetic and/or steroids. A small bandage may be placed over the injection site.
Rotator Cuff Repair
Rotator Cuff Repair is an arthroscopic procedure, in which the surgeon places an arthroscope in the space above the rotator cuff tendons. The surgeon can evaluate the area above the rotator cuff, clean out inflamed or damaged tissue, and remove a bone spur.
If a tear is going to be fixed, the surgeon may perform the surgery with a larger, open incision, while other surgeons use the arthroscope and 1-3 additional smaller incisions. The goal is to attach the tendon back to the bone where it tore off. The tendon is attached with sutures. Small rivets (called suture anchors) are often used to help attach the tendon to the bone. The suture anchors can be made of metal or plastic, and do not need to be removed.
Tonsillectomy
Tonsillectomy (Tonsil Removal) is the surgical removal of the tonsils, which are glands located at the back of the throat. Normally, tonsil glands serve as agents against infection. In some people, however, especially children, these glands can cause ear and throat infections. While the patient is under general anesthesia, the ENT surgeon removes the tonsils with an instrument or cautery (burning device), which controls bleeding. The cut heals naturally without stitches.