As medical technology evolves and improves, an increasing number of historically "open" surgical procedures are being performed using advanced minimally invasive techniques. That is, surgeries that once required large incisions can now be done with small ones. Many of these minimally invasive procedures are made possible by the introduction of robotic surgery tools, such as the da Vinci Xi® surgical robotic system, in which the surgeon uses a computer to precisely control tiny instruments that can bend and rotate. With the help of a laparoscope, a thin tube with a camera and light at the end, the surgeon has a magnified 3D high-definition view inside the patient's body. Compared to other surgical procedures, the potential benefits of minimally invasive surgery include:
St. John's specialized minimally invasive team includes board-certified surgeons who have undergone extensive fellowship training on pertinent techniques and procedures.
The physicians and staff associated with St. John's Center for Surgical Weight Loss will be with you every step of the way on your weight loss journey, from our introductory education session and physician consultation to nutrition counseling, weight loss surgery, and post-surgery support. We are here to help you develop the tools to begin your new life-a a life of improved health, activity, and longevity.
Two notable additions to our surgery program are the SAVI Scout® and the MOZART system. The SAVI SCOUT® makes lumpectomies—breast-conserving surgeries where only part of the breast is removed—easier for patients and physicians by accurately pinpointing tumors before surgery.
The MOZART system is a radiography machine that provides on-the-spot inspection of breast and tissue during surgery to help the surgeons see if they have removed enough breast tissue.
Reflux can wear away at the lining of the esophagus, damage throat, and vocal cords, and even affect the lungs. Reflux can cause breathing issues including coughing, wheezing, bronchitis, pneumonia, and asthma.
GERD is caused by a weak muscle in your esophagus called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). A weak LES allows stomach content to flow back into the esophagus, causing damage to the lining of the esophagus and painful symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation. Over time, these symptoms can lead to serious complications, even cancer.
Patients with GERD often have a hiatal hernia, which can be fixed with the placement of the LINX® device.
Acid reflux and the more progressive, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), describes the backward flow of stomach acid into the esophagus. This repeated exposure of stomach acid through the esophagus and into the throat damages the lining of the esophagus, and can ultimately lead to Barret’s esophagus - a condition which has the potential to lead to esophageal cancer.
Once diagnosed with Reflux or GERD, physicians commonly prescribe patients acid reduction medications, while these can help, they do not solve the problem. About 10% of patients experience no relief from medical therapy, and nearly 40% of patients taking these medications have breakthrough symptoms - these patients make the best candidates for more long-term surgical solutions, like LINX®.
The minimally invasive LINX® procedure aims to augment your failing reflux barrier with a small, quarter size device implanted around the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). LINX® starts working the minute it is implanted and is designed to last a lifetime. The minimally invasive procedure requires no alteration to the stomach.
LINX® is a small, magnetic ring made of titanium beads, which open and close to let food down while preserving the patients’ ability to burp or vomit if needed. Implanting LINX® is a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure that doesn’t require any alteration to the stomach. It is usually an outpatient procedure. The LINX® material won’t affect airport security and is compatible with a 1.5 Tesla MRI.
At St. John’s Regional Medical Center, patient safety coupled with a positive patient experience is aligned with our core Dignity Health values.
