McLaren Greater Lansing, part of statewide McLaren Health Care, has become the first Mid-Michigan hospital to perform robotically an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy, a specialized procedure in the treatment of cancer and potentially cancerous tumors of the esophagus.
Though the most common procedure in the condition’s treatment, the capability to perform it robotically allows for enhanced precision and a less invasive approach for the complex procedure, resulting in less risk for complications, a quicker recovery, and patients can begin subsequent cancer therapies sooner if needed.
“With a surgical procedure as complex as an esophagectomy, being in the position to perform it with minimally invasive techniques allows us to truly pass the benefits along to the patient,” said Dr. Jeffrey Deppen, a general surgeon with McLaren Greater Lansing. “The aim is always to deliver the best possible outcome, and with this technology we are able to provide an enhanced level of care while also reducing patients’ recovery time and reducing the impact on their bodies.”
A procedure that removes sections of the lower esophagus and gastroesophageal junction (where the esophagus joins to the stomach) afflicted with tumors, surgeons remove diseased tissue and create a conduit with the remaining healthy tissue to connect the esophagus back to the stomach.
The traditional, open surgical approach requires large incisions in the abdomen and chest, and typically requires patients to begin their recovery in the intensive care unit.
The minimally invasive, robotic-assisted approach, though, provides access to the surgical area through several smaller incisions, setting the patient up for quicker recovery.
“By reducing a patient’s risk for post-operative complications and their overall recovery downtime, it not only helps them regain their quality of life quicker, but it also provides a significant amount of relief,” said Dr. John Kuhn III, a cardiothoracic surgeon with McLaren Greater Lansing. “Providing this approach boosts their surgical experience and sets them up to achieve the best possible outcome in recovery.”
Esophageal cancer represents one percent of all cancer diagnosed in the United States, though there are several forms of esophageal disease, the early symptoms of which include difficulty swallowing, heartburn, chest pain, hoarseness, cough, and weight loss — symptoms that remain persistent or worsen with time.
The risk for developing an esophageal disease increases as people age, while medical history, tobacco and alcohol use, obesity, acid reflux, physical inactivity, and certain food and beverages can also increase risk.
Learn more about surgical capabilities and all services available at McLaren Greater Lansing at mclaren.org/lansing.
About McLaren Greater Lansing
McLaren Greater Lansing, is a tertiary teaching facility with 240 acute care beds, located in Lansing, Michigan on the southern edge of the Michigan State University campus. Among its services are a Level III Trauma Center/Emergency Department, Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute, comprehensive cardiac programs, medical/surgical units, and state-of-the-art women and children’s health services including a modern birthing center. Also located at the healthcare campus is the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Greater Lansing and Outpatient Care Center. Learn more at mclaren.org/lansing.
About McLaren Health Care
McLaren Health Care, headquartered in Grand Blanc, Michigan, is a $6.6 billion, fully integrated health care delivery system committed to quality, evidence-based patient care and cost efficiency. The McLaren system includes 13 hospitals in Michigan, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, a 490-member employed primary and specialty care physician network, commercial and Medicaid HMOs covering more than 732,838 lives in Michigan and Indiana, home health, infusion and hospice providers, pharmacy services, a clinical laboratory network and a wholly owned medical malpractice insurance company. McLaren operates Michigan’s largest network of cancer centers and providers, anchored by the Karmanos Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the U.S. McLaren has 28,000 full-, part-time and contracted employees and more than 113,000 network providers throughout Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Learn more at mclaren.org.