Saint Raphael’s Performs Minimally
Invasive Esophageal Cancer Procedure that Provides Benefits
for Some Scleroderma Patients
NEW
HAVEN, Conn. – The Hospital of Saint Raphael recently
became one of the first medical centers in New England
to successfully perform a new procedure used to treat
esophageal cancer.
Called Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (MIE), this
new technique provides for better patient outcomes and
shorter recovery times. It also allows surgeons to remove
esophageal malignancies with greater ease.
“We are very pleased to be able to offer this
new surgical technique to patients,” said Saint
Raphael thoracic surgeon Alicia McKelvey, M.D. “Like
other minimally invasive procedures, MIE offers benefits
that provide great results and improve patients’
quality of life.” Along with McKelvey, Saint Raphael
thoracic surgeons Tom Fabian, M.D. and John Federico,
M.D. also perform the procedure.
Esophagectomy surgery is the one of the more common
ways to treat esophageal cancer. During traditional
surgery, the malignant part of the esophagus—a
muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach—is
removed through large open incisions made in the chest,
upper abdomen and neck. The stomach is then attached
to the remaining part of the esophagus to create a new
food passage.
MIE allows surgeons to perform the same procedure through
one-inch incisions. Guided by a laproscopic camera,
they have a greater sense of vision and can access hard-to-reach
areas. And because surgical incisions are much smaller,
patients undergoing MIE experience less post-operative
pain and fewer complications. Hospitalization stays
are also reduced by about four to six days.
MIE is safe and effective for most esophageal cancer
patients. However, those who have undergone previous
acid reflux, lung or abdominal surgery may not be candidates
for the procedure. MIE can also be used to treat other
esophageal disorders, including Barrett’s esophagus,
scleroderma or achalasia.
According to the American Cancer Society, esophageal
cancer is increasing in the United States, but only
accounts for one percent of all cancers. Risk factors
include smoking, excessive alcohol use and dietary factors.
The Hospital of Saint Raphael is a 511-bed academic
health science center affiliated with Yale University
School of Medicine. A leader in cardiac, cancer, orthopedic,
neuroscience, and geriatric services, Saint Raphael’s
is the largest member of the Saint Raphael Healthcare
System, which is sponsored by the Sisters of Charity
of Saint Elizabeth. For more information, visit www.srhs.org.
For background on this innovative procedure, and to
obtain information about a clinical trial assessing
quality of life after MIE, please see the following
links:
2003 Results of U of Pittsburgh MIE Study:
http://newsbureau.upmc.com/UPCI/AsaJdl.htm
Quality of Life Study:
www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/show/NCT00260559
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