Pittsburgh, PA, 1^st September, 2009 A new technique of laparoscopic colon surgery pioneered by Dr. David Blumberg, a colon surgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has paved the way for a broad range of patients to have an opportunity to undergo a successful laparoscopic colon operation.

Laparoscopic colon surgery is a minimally invasive technique of colon removal which despite many potential advantages has been under utilized by surgeons with only 5% of operations performed in this manner.  The advantages of laparoscopic surgery include small incisions, less pain, shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery time.  Despite these advantages, laparoscopic colectomy has previously had high failure rates (up to 25%) because it is technically difficult and varied patient factors including; a history of prior abdominal surgery, adhesions, obesity and diseases located on the left side or transverse (middle) colon make it even harder to get the operation completed successfully.  Many surgeons do not offer laparoscopic colon surgery to patients with these more complex factors because laparoscopic colectomy has increased complication rates and overall worse outcome in these complex patient groups.

According to Dr. Blumberg, a novel way of performing laparoscopic colon resection surgery may change all of this.  Dr. Blumberg has shown that his new laparoscopic colectomy technique is equally effective in patients with prior abdominal surgery, adhesions, obesity and in diseases irrespective of their location in the colon.  All patients had similar excellent surgical outcome irrespective of these complex factors. This technique is also widely applicable for patients needing colon polyps surgery or colon cancer surgery.

Dr. Blumberg’s pioneering work was reported in the peer-reviewed journals Surgical Innovations in September 2008 and in Surgical Laparoscopic, Endoscopic and Percutaneous Techniques February and June of this year.

So what is the secret to this new technique?  Dr. Blumberg says that his technique is the next level in advanced laparoscopic surgical technique. While the conventional laparoscopic-assisted colectomy is performed partly laparoscopically, Dr. Blumberg performs the entire operation minimally invasively.  In other words, the colon removal and the reconnection are all performed laparoscopically or intracorporeally.  If Dr. Blumberg encounters dense scar tissue in the abdomen unlike other surgeons who may stop the operation and make a big cut, he is able to complete the operation laparoscopically utilizing a device called a harmonic scalpel. This device cuts the scar tissue away from the colon and in his hands allows successful laparoscopic colon resection surgery with no increased major complications.  Dr. Blumberg acknowledges that his success is also related to a decade of experience in a center of excellence for minimally invasive surgery.

About Dr. Blumberg, Laparoscopic Colon Surgeon:

Dr. Blumberg has practiced at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and its affiliate Hillman Cancer Center for the past ten years. He is board certified in colon and rectal surgery and also received specialty training in colon cancer treatments and surgery at the world renowned Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Dr. Blumberg is recognized as a national expert in the area of colon and rectal cancer and laparoscopic colon surgery. He has written over 40 articles and has lectured at multiple national meetings. His pioneering work in laparoscopic colon surgery was initially brought to media attention with television interviews in 2004. He was acclaimed by his peers as one of Pittsburgh’s Top Doctors in 2007 and 2008. Dr. Blumberg is a dedicated pioneer actively working to improving the surgical outcomes of patients with colon and rectal cancer, diverticulitis, colon polyps, Crohns disease & ulcerative colitis while minimizing the trauma of an operation thorough his breakthrough minimally invasive  laparoscopic colon surgery technique, he coined bandaid colon surgery .

For Additional Information regarding this breakthrough Colon Cancer Treatment or to make an appointment contact:
Contact Information:

Dr. David Blumberg, M.D.,

Board Certified Colon and Rectal Surgery

Bandaid Surgery, PC
The Coronado Medical Building
500 South Aiken Ave, Suites 107-110
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

(412-682-3333)

www.bandaidcolonsurgery.com

Pittsburgh, PA, 10^th August, 2009 In a study published by Dr. David Blumberg, a colon cancer surgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a high percentage of patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy for presumed benign colon polyps were found to have a colon cancer within the polyp. Dr. Blumberg says this has important implications for colon cancer treatment.

Colon polyps are benign precursors of colon cancer. Most colon polyps are detected by colonoscopy which is recommended in all people by the age of 50 and at age 40 in patients with a family history of colon polyps or colon cancer. The majority of polyps found at colonoscopy can be successfully removed during a colonoscopy. Although many people dread having a colonoscopy, colonoscopy has been shown to save lives by reducing the incidence of colorectal cancer. The procedure is safe and is performed under sedation and usually only takes 15-30 minutes time.

Patients with colon polyps that are too large to be removed via colonoscopy are referred for surgery. In the past, surgeons treating colon polyps performed limited operations only removing a small portion of the colon containing the polyp and not worrying about removing the adjacent lymph nodes. The adjacent lymph nodes are around the colon and are routinely removed in colon cancer because this is how colon cancer spreads. New data indicates that many patients with presumed benign colon polyps undergoing colon resection (colon polyp surgery) actually have a cancer hidden in the polyp. Unfortunately there is no test that can tell 100% whether a colon polyp is benign or has a cancer until the polyp is completely removed at colon resection surgery.

In a study published by Dr. David Blumberg at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 14% of patients undergoing laparoscopic colon surgery for presumed colon polyps had a colon cancer when the pathologist examined the entire colon polyp removed by the surgeon. For this reason, Dr. Blumberg advocates that all patients undergoing colon removal surgery should undergo a complete colorectal cancer surgery operation which means removing all of the potential cancer bearing lymph nodes around the site of the colon polyp. This study was published this June in the journal Surgical Laparoscopy, Endoscopy & Percutaneous Techniques. “We need to ensure that a cancer operation is performed in all patients with colon polyps which mean removing all of the lymph nodes also to ensure that no occult cancer is left behind”.

In the past, patients with colon polyps were also thought to be good initial cases for surgeons gaining laparoscopic colon resection surgery experience prior to doing laparoscopic colon cancer resection surgery. Dr. Blumberg cautions that patients with colon polyps are not the best candidates for laparoscopic colon surgery by novice laparoscopic colon surgeon. Dr. Blumberg recommends that patients with colon polyps should be referred to surgeons that have a high level of expertise in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery (laparoscopic hemicolectomy). Dr. Blumberg further found that patients with pre-cancer on biopsy before surgery and polyps on the left side of the colon had the highest risk of having an occult colon cancer (43%). In choosing a surgeon for laparoscopic colectomy, Dr. Blumberg advocates that patients with colon polyps ask their surgeon how many laparoscopic colon operations the surgeon has performed and how many colon cancer operations have been performed laparoscopically. “Make sure to choose an experienced laparoscopic colon surgeon, check out the surgeon’s credentials and find out if the surgeon has published any peer-reviewed papers in the field or keeps an internal audit of his own experience”. The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons advocates that a surgeon performing laparoscopic colon surgery have performed a minimum of 20 laparoscopic colon operations before operating on patients with potentially colon cancer.

The bottom line: Make sure your surgeon does a complete cancer operation even when you have a seemingly benign colon polyp. Clearly it would be a nightmare to be told a week after surgery that your polyp is actually a colon cancer and the surgeon potentially left cancer behind by not removing all of the lymph nodes.

About Dr. David Blumberg:

Dr. Blumberg is a colorectal surgeon who has practiced at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and its affiliate Hillman Cancer Center for the past ten years. He is board certified in colon and rectal surgery and also received specialty training in colon cancer surgery at the world renowned Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. Dr. Blumberg is recognized as a national expert in the area of colon and rectal cancer and laparoscopic colon surgery. He has written over 40 articles and has lectured at multiple national meetings. His pioneering work in laparoscopic colon surgery was initially brought to media attention with television interviews in 2004. He has been acclaimed by his peers as one of Pittsburgh’s Top Doctors in 2007 and 2008.

For Additional Information regarding Colon Resection surgery for Polyps and  Colon Cancer Treatment or to make an appointment contact:

Contact Information

Dr. David Blumberg, M.D., FACS, FASCRS

Bandaid Surgery, PC
The Coronado Medical Building
500 South Aiken Ave, Suites 107-110
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Phone: (412) 682-3333
FAX: (412) 682-3335

Visit us on the web http://www.bandaidcolonsurgery.com/

Email: [email protected]

Pittsburgh, PA, 8^th August, 2009 -What is the best method to prevent, treat and most importantly cure America’s second most deadly disease –Colon Cancer?

Also known as colorectal cancer, Colon cancer is a malignant tumor of the large intestine. Each year over 150,000 Americans, over 10,000 of those Pittsburgh residents are diagnosed with this deadly disease. However, according to Dr. David Blumberg, a colorectal surgeon in Pittsburgh and founder of Bandaid Surgery, “with early detection, proper colon cancer treatment with surgery and routine check-ups, Colon Cancer has a 100% lifetime cure rate.

While Colon cancer is most prevalently diagnosed in people over age 40, the disease can be present at an early age and lay dormant in the colon as a form of colon polyps for many years before it becomes a malignant cancer.

The American Cancer Society and the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation say, “There are many factors that help lower a person’s risk. These include maintaining a healthy weight; consuming a low fat diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and beans; refraining from tobacco usage and exercising regularly”. “However, the most important factor in preventing colon cancer according to Dr. David Blumberg “is to get an annual Colonoscopy starting at age 40 if you have a family history of colon polyps or colon cancer and at age 50 if you have no risk factors”.  “This simple test, says Dr. Blumberg, allows the colon surgeon to examine inside the entire large intestine, detect inflamed tissue, abnormal growths, ulcers and diagnose early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum.  “Even if you don’t have symptoms,” says Dr. Blumberg, “upon examination of the colon, a diagnosis can be determined and a treatment plan can be prescribed. If the findings are colon cancer, the best surgical option is laparoscopic surgery”. “This minimally invasive colon surgery technique, according to Dr. Blumberg and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons uses tiny incisions, minimizes pain and promotes shorter hospitalization and early recovery!

“Getting tested has been proven to saves lives” and if you are diagnosed with colon cancer, find out if laparoscopic colon surgery is an option for you”. Laparoscopic colon surgery is now been proven safe for colon cancer treatment so why undergo an open operation with a big cut when it so much more painful and recovery takes months says Dr. Blumberg. Dr. Blumberg a colorectal surgeon in Pittsburgh has recently pioneered a new laparoscopic colectomy technique that reduces the size of incisions and allow a 95% success rate of completing a colon cancer operation via a laparoscopic or minimally invasive approach (www.mmdnewswire.com/laparoscopic-colon-surgery-5454.html)

About Dr. Blumberg:

Dr. David Blumberg is a Board Certified General and Colorectal Surgeon with special training in colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease (Chrohn’s & Colitis), and diverticulitis and Laparoscopic colon surgery. Dr. Blumberg is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. He has been recognized by his peers for clinical excellence as a surgeon at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) since 1999. Prior to this, Dr. Blumberg was a fellow in Surgical Oncology at the world-renowned Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital in Manhattan and a fellow in Colon and Rectal Surgery at the prestigious Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans. Dr. Blumberg is a recognized national leader in the area of colorectal cancer. He is the author of over 40 articles and has lectured at multiple national meetings. Dr. Blumberg has been recognized as a Top Doctor in Pittsburgh by Castle Connelly for two consecutive years.  Dr. Blumberg has been performing Laparoscopic colon operations since 2000 and has a proven track record of expertise in this highly specialized field with multiple publications and innovations. If you have concerns about colon cancer or a colonoscopy call Bandaid Surgery, PC at 412-682-3333 for more information.

For Additional Information regarding Colon Resection surgery for Polyps and Colon Cancer Treatment or to make an appointment contact:

Contact Information

Dr. David Blumberg, M.D., FACS, FASCRS

Bandaid Surgery, PC
The Coronado Medical Building
500 South Aiken Ave, Suites 107-110
Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Phone: (412) 682-3333
FAX: (412) 682-3335

Visit us on the web http://www.bandaidcolonsurgery.com/

Email: [email protected]