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Surgeons at St. Elizabeth Hospital perform laparoscopic surgery using single incision

Hysterectomy potentially leaves no visible scar

09 / 15 / 2009

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APPLETON, Wis. - St. Elizabeth Hospital has announced the successful completion of five surgeries using the next generation SILS™ (Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery) procedure. The procedures were the first of their kind to be completed at St. Elizabeth Hospital.

The single-incision procedure is made possible through a SILS “port,” a small device that allows for multiple instruments to be used during the removal of the uterus, but still only using the single incision.

According the Dr. Thomas Mahoney, OB/GYN with Affinity Medical Group who performed the procedures, the patients were able to leave the next day. Mahoney anticipates that the surgery could become an outpatient procedure in the future. He also notes that the SILS procedure leaves almost no visible scar, as a single incision is made at the base of the belly button.

Recovery time is usually shortened to around two weeks compared to six to eight weeks for a traditional procedure, Mahoney said. Most patients use less pain medicines or narcotics with this procedure as compared to traditional methods.

“With the successful completion of this procedure, St. Elizabeth Hospital is now equipped to offer patients the most advanced form hysterectomies,” said Mahoney. “We are thrilled to be at the forefront of a new kind of surgery that continues to transform the minimally invasive arena, resulting in even better experiences for patients.”

According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hysterectomies are the second most frequent major surgical procedure among reproductive-aged women, with about 600,000 hysterectomies performed each year in the United States.

“At St. Elizabeth Hospital patient care is our highest priority.  Procedures including the SILS™ technique are instrumental in helping us fulfill our goal of offering patients the latest advancements in medicine,” said Travis Andersen, president, St. Elizabeth Hospital.

About the technology:
Accomplished by using specialized Roticulator™ instruments – manufactured by Covidien – the SILS™ procedure is performed in surgeries related to gynecologic, bariatric and urologic conditions (Raman, J. et al. Single-Incision, Umbilical Laparoscopic versus Conventional Laparoscopic Nephrectomy: A Comparison of Perioperative Outcomes and Short-Term Measures of Convalescence. European Association of Urology, August 2008; Saber, A. et al. Single Incision LaparoscopicSleeve Gastrectomy (SILS): A Novel Technique. Obesity Surgery, 2008; Raman, J. et al. Single-Incision LaparoscopicSurgery: Initial Urological Experience and Comparison with Natural-orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery. BJU International, 2008; Kaouk, J. et al. Single-port Laparoscopic Surgery in Urology: Initial Experience. Urology. 2008.) Covidien’s newest technological advancement, the SILS™ Port, is available for SILS™ procedures across multiple surgical specialties.  This instrument, the first of its kind, replaces the multiple ports currently utilized in single incision surgeries.

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For the Editor:
Affinity Health System, a Catholic mission-oriented regional health care network, is a partnership of Ministry Health Care and Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare. Affinity Health System is the Fox Valley’s third largest employer, according to the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and is nationally listed among the top 50 hospitals for quality and efficiency (Thomson Reuters, Modern Healthcare). For eight consecutive years, Affinity Health System has been named to the SDI Health (formerly Verispan) Integrated Health Network Top 100, an annual assessment of the 100 most highly integrated health care networks in the nation – Affinity ranks no. 29 in the 2009 report. Both St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton and Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh rank among the top 1 percent among hospitals nationwide in terms of quality and efficiency, as determined by the 2007 Premier | CareScience Select practice National Quality Award. Network Health Plan has achieved Excellent accreditation status from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the highest possible level. It is ranked 31st in the nation, according to the U.S. News and World Report/NCQA Best Health Plans in America listing. Members of Affinity include Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Health Foundation, Oshkosh; St. Elizabeth Hospital and the St. Elizabeth Hospital Community Foundation, Appleton; Affinity Medical Group, a regional network of 22 family practice and specialty clinics – including two fully operational Medical Home models – in 14 communities; Calumet Medical Center, Chilton; Network Health Plan, Menasha; and Affinity Occupational Health.