General Surgery
As in most institutions, the activities of the Department of Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens revolve around its general surgical core. Our staff provides expert care in literally every aspect of general surgical practice and is also committed to diverse and interesting academic pursuits.
Minimally Invasive Surgery is viewed as a major advance in General Surgery. Laparoscopy is a surgical approach that allows surgeons to operate on patients without making large incisions. Surgeons can perform the same operations traditionally done through an 8- to 10-inch incision through 4 or 5 1 — centimeter cuts. As a result, patients experience less pain and recover more quickly. For instance, over the last 10 years, laparoscopy has revolutionized the removal of the gall bladder (90% of patients have gone home 6 hours post-surgery).
The Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens has been at the forefront in the use of this technology for operations including obesity surgery, colon surgery, hernia surgery, removal of the spleen or adrenal gland, gallbladder surgery, and removal of the appendix. In addition, the division is responsible for educating future surgeons in various laparoscopic techniques. To this end, the division has a fully functional skills laboratory to allow surgeons in training and in practice to further hone their laparoscopic skills.
Our large patient population has made possible the generation of extensive experience in a host of areas, and the Department generates clinical research which has been critical to the development and implementation of important clinical treatment protocols. Experience with different treatment plans and modalities is constantly cataloged and reviewed to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of care provided.
Among the programs of particular interest are those involving laparoscopic surgery, breast surgery, and surgery for gastrointestinal malignancy. In each of these areas, staff surgeons have established capabilities that are the envy of many institutions the nation over.
Experience in laparoscopic surgery was developed early at our institution, and today the full gamut of procedures including cholecystectomy, common bile duct exploration, hernia repair, and intestinal resection is practiced. Each surgeon who performs such procedures is specifically trained in these interventions and has been proctored by our most experienced surgeons to demonstrate his individual expertise.
The commitment to excellence in clinical performance and to proper review and evaluation of outcomes has led to our Department establishing among the finest records in the safe and effective employment of laparoscopic techniques.
Common malignancies such as those involving the colon and rectum are treated in large numbers using both standard open and endoscopic techniques. We are also to take considerable pride in our experience with some of the most demanding upper gastrointestinal malignancies, including those of the stomach, pancreas, and biliary tree. Our staff enjoys outcomes comparable to those achieved in the finest centers throughout the world.