Common Surgical Procedures  

 (Please note that some internet connections may be too slow for the animations)                                                                   

• Varicose Vein / EVLT Non-Surgical Endovenous Laser Treatment:                          

We offer the most advanced laser technology to eliminate varicose veins.  This procedure is performed in our Tacoma office, and uses state of the art laser and ultrasound technology.    EVLT has been clinically proven to be safe, effective and non-traumatic.  This is truly a minimally invasive procedure, with minimal discomfort and fantastic results. 

                Please Click Here For More Information On Varicose Vein Treatment / EVLT

          Please Click Here For A Video About Varicose Vein Treatment (EVLT)

• Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery:                                                                     

We have performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy since the procedure was first introduced in 1990.  Our surgeons have extensive experience with this technique, as well as the older open surgery version, although it is rarely needed.  These are almost always outpatient, same day surgery procedures, and our success  rate and patient satisfaction has remained very high.

              Please Click Here For More Information On Gallbladder Surgery And A Low-Fat Diet

          Please Click Here For An Animation Of Laparoscopic Gallbladder Surgery                                                         

• Laparoscopic Ventral, Inguinal, and Sports Hernia Surgery:                                      

We have been among the leaders in developing and perfecting techniques for these challenging problems.  We very commonly are able to perform these as outpatient surgery, and our patients have been very pleased with the results.  We have been named a "Site of Excellence" (Ethicon) for this proven technique.              

             Please Click Here For More Information On Hernia Surgery

          Please Click Here For An Animation Of Ventral (Abdominal Wall) Hernia Surgery

        Please Click Here For An Animation of Inguinal (Groin) or Sports  Hernia Surgery

• Nissen Procedure for "Heartburn"

• Treatment of Hiatal Hernias and Paraesophageal Hernias:                                                                             

We use a minimally invasive technique known as "Nissen Fundoplication" to provide immediate and permanent relief from moderate to severe Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), or heartburn. This is also part of the treatment for Hiatal Hernias or Paraesophageal Hernias. These hernias are laparoscopically repaired and a special tissue patch is placed to reinforce the repair.  This laparoscopic procedure is very effective, and our patients often are home after only one night in the hospital.  Our surgeons performed the first two Laparoscopic Nissen procedures in Tacoma, and we have been named a "Site of Excellence" (Ethicon) for this proven technique.  

             Please Click Here For More Information On Heartburn, Hiatal and Paraesophageal Hernia Treatment

          Please Click Here For An Animation Of A Nissen Fundoplication                                                                  

• Laparoscopic Adrenal and Spleen Surgery:                                                    

We have extensive experience with these specialized solid organ procedures.   We often are able to help our patients to a very rapid recovery through truly minimally invasive techniques.  In the past, making a large 6 to 12 inch incision in the abdomen, flank, or back was necessary for removal of an adrenal gland tumor, or a diseased spleen. With modern laparoscopic technique, the surgery can be performed through three or four 1/4-1/2 inch incisions. Patients may leave the hospital in one or two days and return to work more quickly than patients recovering from open surgery.

              Please Click Here For A Flash Movie on Adrenal Surgery

              Please Click Here For A Flash Movie on Spleen Surgery

• Laparoscopic Colon Surgery:                                                                                

Laparoscopic colon surgery is now accepted as a very reasonable and safe procedure to treat a variety of colon diseases including diverticulitis as well as cancer.  We have had very good results with these procedures.  We use 3 or 4 small incisions to perform this surgery.  Patients are often able to go home after only one or two nights in the hospital.  With conventional open surgery, a 6 to 12 inch incision is often needed as well as a one week long hospitalization following the procedure. 

       Please Click Here For An Animation Of Laparoscopic Colon Surgery                                                                                    

• Minimally Invasive Thyroid Surgery:                                                                    

We use a small incision and a small scope to aid our vision.  Many thyroid lesions are treatable by this technique and often result in same-day surgery.  We are the first in this community to offer this procedure, which was first developed in Italy.  Some larger thyroid lesions can only be treated by traditional larger incisions.  In those cases we have extensive experience with more traditional open techniques.

           Please Click Here For More Information On Thyroid Disease

             Please Click Here For A Video On Minimally Invasive Thyroid Surgery

• Minimally Invasive Parathyroid Surgery:                                                       

We are the first in this community to offer this true minimally invasive procedure.  We use an incision as small as one inch to remove these troublesome parathyroid tumors.  We also utilize radioisotope probes in surgery to isolate and remove the correct lesion.  These procedures are often done as an outpatient, where you can go home the same day as the surgery. There is very little discomfort and rapid recoveries are common.

                 Please Click Here For More Information On Parathyroid Disease

                Please Click Here For a Video On Minimally Invasive Parathyroid Surgery                   

• Gastric Pacemaker Placement:                                                                       

We are one of only 2 centers in the state of Washington that place these innovative devices.  These pacemakers allow normalization of stomach function for patients suffering from severe gastroparesis.  We are often able to place these devices as a laparoscopic day-surgery procedure. 

             Please Click Here For More Information On This Innovative Procedure.

• Endoscopic SEPS Procedure:                                                                         

Using endoscopy, we treat veins in the legs that can cause leg ulcers. The Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery is one of the only surgical teams in Tacoma to perform this procedure.

• Thoracic Outlet Surgery:                                                                                      

For patients suffering from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, we perform a minimally invasive procedure which releases trapped nerves leading to the arm.   We are one of the only surgical teams in Tacoma offering this proven Anterior Scalenectomy technique.

• In-Office Diagnostic Ultrasound:                                                               

For your convenience, our office is equipped with state-of-the-art ultrasound. We can diagnose diseases of the gallbladder, liver, thyroid, breast and other organs. Ultrasound imaging also assists us during biopsy procedures.

For other surgical problems and procedures we recommend the following sites on our links page:
HELPFUL LINKS
 

Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery
(253) 572-7120

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