St. Joseph’s colorectal surgeons perform nearly 1,000 procedures a year at St. Joseph’s and its two outpatient surgery centers –
North Surgery Center and
Northeast Surgery Center.
Using the latest technologies and minimally invasive approaches, the six surgeons are able to treat cancerous growths and polyps in patients who traditionally were not able to undergo surgery. In fact, surgeons have used the
da Vinci® Surgical System more than 50 times to remove polyps related to colon cancers.
Procedures
Rectopexy
A rectopexy traditionally is performed by opening a vertical incision in the abdomen, separating the colon from the tissue surrounding it and pulling the rectum back inside the body, stitching it securely to the sacrum, a bony structure near the end of the spine. The operation also can be done laparoscopically with a few small incisions made in the abdomen instead of a single large one. A video camera and small surgical instruments are maneuvered through the incisions.
Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM)
St. Joseph’s is the only one in Central New York to offer TEM for the removal of polyps and treatment of early stage cancers. The less invasive approach uses a 20-inch proctoscope inserted through the anus to delicately remove cancerous growths or benign polyps with very little bleeding. Most of the TEMs are performed at the Northeast Surgery Center with patients going home the same day.
The da Vinci Surgical System is used to repair rectal prolapses for patients with benign or malignant growths in the colon who are unable to have traditional surgery. The robotic system helps make the movements more precise so there is less bleeding and trauma.
Incontinence Stimulation
- Anal: As opposed to major surgery like a sphincteroplasty, colostomy or sphincter replacement, St. Joseph's is one of the only hospitals in Central New York to offer sacral nerve stimulation with InterStim® Therapy. The minimally invasive treatment option is performed by implantng a small electric device to help control the anal sphincter and restore anal continence.
- Urinary: For urinary incontinence, St. Joseph's also offers InterStim® Therapy. After a simple test simulation is found successful, a small stimulator device is surgically implanted under the skin of the lower back in a minimally invasive procedure. It sends electrical pulses to the sacral nerves, which stimulate the muscles that control bladder function.