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General Surgery, Urology, and Gynecology

Urology

You might expect that urology cases would be dull, but don't be fooled. First, the camaraderie among the urology nurses, faculty and resident surgeons, and the anesthesia team is something we enjoy and nurture. Second, we provide anesthesia to a diverse patient population from neonates to the elderly, otherwise healthy to the very ill. Finally, the surgical procedures vary from the simple hydrodistension, ESWL (extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy) and cystoscopy to the complicated nephrectomy with tumor invasion into major blood vessels, adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma, and urinary bladder cystectomy.

We use a variety of anesthetic techniques, including:

  • Monitored anesthetic care (sedation)
  • Neuraxial blocks
  • General anesthesia
  • Combined general anesthesia with epidural catheters

Monitoring can be simple standard ASA monitors or extensive, including invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring, central venous catheters/pulmonary artery catheters, or even intraoperative ECHO. Our surgeons perform many procedures laparoscopically and use robotic technology for some procedures. Urology offers a diverse experience.

General Surgery and Gynecology

Anything from stem to stern can be expected in this rotation, including:

  • Burns
  • Trauma
  • Thyroidectomy
  • Cholecystectomy
  • Bowel resection
  • Liver resection
  • Transplants
    • Kidney
    • Liver
    • Pancreas
  • Whipple
  • Hernia repair
  • Appendectomy
  • Hysterectomy
    • Vaginal approach
    • Abdominal approach
  • Hysteroscopy
  • Pelvic exenteration
  • D and C
  • Myomectomy

The patients can be severely ill or otherwise healthy. Cases often require invasive monitoring procedures (arterial lines and central venous lines) and can be done with straight regional techniques, monitored anesthesia care, general anesthesia or combined regional/general anesthesia. Expect the unexpected!