Surgery

December 19, 2019

Ask the Doctor: Robotic Surgery with Joseph Buell, MD

Joseph Buell, MD, a General Surgeon with Mission Surgery, answers some questions about robotic surgery. Q: What benefits does robotic surgery offer surgeons and doctors? A: Robotic-surgery technology enables surgeons to perform complex surgical procedures with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control. Therefore, patients recover quicker and have lower rates of infection. Q: What kinds […]

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August 29, 2019

Pedaling On: Robotic Precision Gets Longtime Biker Back into the Race after Two Knee Surgeries

By Cherry Odom, BSN, RN-BC Seasoned triathlete and retired Mars Hill University sociology professor Tom Plaut knew nine years ago that the pain in his left knee meant his many years of running, biking and swimming had taken a toll on his body. “The wear and tear on my knee resulted in bone landing on […]

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July 16, 2019

Are You Tired of Being Tired? It Could Be an Elevated Calcium Level

By Andrew Rhodes, DO With the way our lives pull us in different directions, it can be difficult to take the time to listen to what our bodies are telling us. Perhaps you have experienced overwhelming fatigue over the last several months that’s caused you to not be yourself. Perhaps you have developed unexplained kidney […]

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July 12, 2019

4 Ways to Keep Joints Healthy as You Age

Head, shoulders, knees and toes – knees and toes! Why don’t they sing about our joints – the cartilage between the bone that provides a “cushion” and allows the bones to glide over each other? What happens when this cushion wears away? It is not uncommon to have joint issues be the limiting factor for […]

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July 1, 2019

Is Meat Destroying Your Colon? The Link between Meat and Colorectal Cancer

Years ago, cigarettes were put on notice as we decided to eschew the nostalgia of the Marlboro Man and the James Dean cool of a smoke. We accepted the direct link of cigarettes to both vascular disease and lung cancer, and the need to avoid inhaling a strong carcinogen. As a result, lung cancer deaths are […]

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May 29, 2019

There’s No Place Like Home: How Child Life Cares for Kids Before, During and After Surgery

By Sam LaRose Sticks and stones may break bones, but Child Life is there! Did you know that falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries for children? Injuries from falls may not always be serious, but sometimes they can lead to broken bones – and sometimes broken bones can mean surgery. While kids always […]

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March 27, 2019

Don’t Assume: The ABCs of Colonoscopies

By Robert Roddenberry, MD We asked Robert Roddenberry, MD, to discuss common assumptions about colonoscopies, challenge misconceptions about colorectal cancer and answer what exactly happens before, during and after a screening. Reasons to Get a Colonoscopy “Colonoscopies should be performed on everyone starting at age 50 or possibly younger if there is a family history of colon […]

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March 6, 2019

How Better Tasting Prep Makes for Easier Colonoscopies

In order for a colonoscopy to be complete and accurate, the patient’s colon must be completely cleaned. While this part of the test has been met with apprehension by patients over the years, it is now easier than ever. At Mission Hospital McDowell, the preferred test prep drink is a combination of Gatorade and Miralax. […]

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