This article originally appeared in Be Well, a health information newsletter published for members of the Greater Marlborough community.
Imagine being able to see a tumor the size of a blueberry magnified to the size of a grapefruit and viewed on a 27-inch high-definition television screen. With technology this advanced, surgeons have an incredibly crisp, real-time picture of a surgical site. Whether it is a procedure to determine a cause for pain or a surgery to correct a specific condition, the surgeons now have access to this latest tool to assist with their surgery.
The Surgery Department at Marlborough Hospital has added several sophisticated high-definition (HD) tools to assist its surgeons in minimally invasive surgery or laparoscopy.
Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure in which a fiber-optic scope connected to a high-definition camera is inserted through the abdominal wall to view and operate inside the abdomen cavity. Just one or a few tiny incisions are needed. This all means greater precision with less risk. The smaller incisions heal more quickly, cause less pain, lower the chance of infection and often allow the patient to return to normal activities more quickly than traditional open surgery.
"Laparoscopy is a way of performing minimally invasive surgery," explained Markian Stecyk, MD, Marlborough Hospital chief of surgery. "The laparoscope has become indispensable in the operating room and is now often used in abdominal procedures involving the appendix, gallbladder, colon and uterus, and for hernia repair. Similarly, the instrument can be used for orthopedic and urologic surgery. It is an alternative to larger incision 'open' surgery for suitable patients."
Other new additions to the surgical suites are high-tech radiolucent operating tables. "These technological advancements take surgery to the next level in quality and safety for the patient," explained Dr. Stecyk. "The radiolucent feature allows much more accurate positioning during a case and enables real-time images for the surgeon as the case proceeds."
While most patients will not see these state-of-the-art upgrades during their stay at Marlborough Hospital, those undergoing surgery should be reassured to know that the highly experienced surgeons and staff in the operating room are supported by nearly a half million dollars in new, advanced surgical equipment.