OUR SPECIALTIES

General Surgery

GVS offers a wide variety of services and an extensive array of the latest surgical techniques. including minimally invasive surgery to provide care for the many facets of general and vascular surgery. Our doctors will discuss with you the best options available for your care.

General Surgery is the branch of medicine that deals primarily with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of the abdominal organs. General Surgery also involves breast surgery, parathyroid and thyroid surgery. Following are some of the many types of procedures our physician perform.

Appendectomy

Appendectomy is the removal of the appendix. The appendix may become swollen and inflamed causing symptoms of abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and/or vomiting. In severe cases, the appendix may rupture. The appendix can be removed with an endoscope (also called laparoscopic) through a series of small incisions or through a small incision in a traditional or “open” method.

Breast Surgery

Breast surgery is a large category and encompasses many techniques to surgically treat benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous) breast tissue. Available options include:

• Excisional biopsy: Another type of open biopsy, the entire lump is removed. This is usually performed on a smaller lump.
• Lumpectomy: Removes a lump with a small margin of healthy tissue surrounding it. Lumpectomy is often recommended in place of mastectomy for women whose cancers are small or localized. Lumpectomy may be performed with a sentinel node biopsy to determine whether cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes.
• Axillary lymph node dissection: Examination of the lymph nodes in the axilla (arm pits) can determine whether cancer has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. This procedure may be performed at the same time as a breast biopsy or sentinel node biopsy, if the previous biopsy revealed positive results. It may also be performed during a mastectomy.
• Modified Radical Mastectomy: Involves the surgical removal of the breast, nipple, lining of the chest muscles, and some or all of the Axillary lymph nodes. Part of the chest wall muscle may also be removed.

Gallbladder Removal or Cholecystectomy

The gallbladder is a small organ that sits just below the liver and aids digestion. It also stores bile produced by the liver. Removal of the gallbladder may be recommended when you have symptoms such as nausea and vomiting (especially after eating fatty foods) and/or abdominal pain.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, most frequently performed, involves a series of small incisions that allow your surgeon to insert a laparoscope (a tiny camera) to visualize your internal anatomy. Instruments are inserted through the openings and the gallbladder is freed and removed through one of the incisions. Occasionally, for reasons related to patient care, an open procedure may be performed.

Hernia Repair

A hernia occurs when the lining of a cavity that normally contains body organs weakens, and a protrusion will occur. A bulge is often seen or felt in the area, most commonly in the abdominal wall, navel area (umbilical hernia) or groin (inguinal hernia or femoral hernia.) Hernias can also occur at previous surgical sites (incisional hernia.) Common symptoms include pain in the abdomen or groin, especially with heavy lifting, coughing, sneezing, or bowel movements.

Hernia repair places the protruding tissue back into place and repairs the weakened area, usually with mesh. Hernia repair can be performed either laparoscopically or in an open manner. Our doctors will discuss with the best treatment available to you.

Colon Resection

Colon resection (colectomy or partial colectomy) is performed to remove diseased or damaged portions of the colon, mostly commonly due to bowel obstruction, diverticultis, and colon cancer. Often, the healthy ends of the colon resection are rejoined directly (anastamosis) at the time of surgery. However, some patients need time for the colon to heal before the ends can be sewn together. In those cases, a colostomy is made, an opening of the colon through the skin. This is usually temporary.

Small Bowel Resection

Small bowel resection is performed to remove diseased or damaged portions of the small intestine, mostly commonly due to cancer, intestinal blockage, bleeding, infection, ulcers, or Crohn’s disease. Often, the healthy ends of the bowel are rejoined directly (anastamosis) at the time of surgery. However, some patients require additional time for the bowel to heal before the ends be sewn together. In those cases, an ostomy is created by forming a hole in the abdominal wall and attaching the healthy end of the intestine to it. A drainage bag is fitted around the opening to collect waste. The ostomy is usually temporary.

Gastric Resection

Gastric resection (gastrectomy or partial gastrectomy) is performed to remove a part of the stomach for cancer, benign tumors, perforations or ulcers. The stomach connects the esophagus to the small intestine. Depending on the reason for the operation, your surgeon may remove all (total gastrectomy) or part of the stomach (partial gastrectomy. If a total gastrectomy is performed, the esophagus will be connected directly to the small intestine. Dietary consultation may be necessary to understand changes necessary to help your body adapt to changes in the digestive process. Our doctors will discuss with the best treatment available to you.

Gastric Pacemaker

Some people suffer from chronic nausea and vomiting which may be a result of diabetes, gastroparesis, or other difficult to treat gastrointestinal disorders. A gastric pacemaker electrically stimulates the lower stomach nerves, encouraging the stomach to contract and can help to relieve nausea and vomiting. Our physicians are among a select few in the state of Arizona performing this procedure.

Hemorrhoid Surgery

Hemorrhoid surgery (or hemorrhoidectomy) is performed to surgically remove hemorrhoids. The incision(s) may be closed with sutures or left partially open to allow fluid to drain and help the healing process.

Pancreatic Resection

Pancreatic resection is performed to remove part or all of the pancreas, a gland located behind the stomach that helps digest food and regulate blood sugar. Pancreatic resection may be indicated for treatment of pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis, pancreatic pseudocysts, or injury due to trauma. In the case of pancreatic cancer, the goal is to remove all traces of cancer while preserving as much of the pancreas as possible. In some cases, all of the pancreas must be removed as well as bile duct, the upper part of the small intestine, and part of the stomach. This is frequently referred to as a Whipple procedure.

Splenectomy

The spleen helps the body filter blood and fight infection. Removal of the spleen (splenectomy) may be necessary if there has been injury to the spleen, an abscess has formed on the spleen, enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly), or for treatment of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia (ITP, a disorder where platelets are destroyed by the spleen)

Thyroidectomy

The thyroid is a small gland located in the front of the neck and is responsible for regulating metabolism. When the thyroid function becomes abnormal due to thyroid cancer, a goiter, or hyperthyroidism, it may become necessary to remove the thyroid. The extent removal depends on the patient’s condition.

The thyroid is butterfly-shaped, consisting of two lobes connected by the isthmus. Partial thyroid lobectomy removes a part of a lobe. Thyroid lobectomy removes an entire lobe. Thyroid lobectomy with isthmusectomy removes an entire lobe as well as the isthmus. Subtotal thyroidectomy remove a lobe, the isthmus, and part of the other lobe. Total thyroidectomy removes both lobes as well as the isthmus.

Parathyroidectomy

Parathyroid glands are located in the neck, behind the thyroid gland. There are four glands which can vary from the size of a grain of rice to the size of a pea. The parathyroid glands are responsible for production of parathyroid hormone which control calcium levels in the blood. When the glands increase in size or activity, hyperparathyroidism occurs. Parathyroidectomy, removal or the abnormal gland(s), is the accepted treatment.

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