Stevens Model

Laparoscopic Surgery For Hernias (The Everett Clinic)

Overview

Everett Clinic patients benefit from the most advanced technologies available today—from robotic assisted surgery to 3D image-guided surgery. Certain laparoscopic surgeons, such as Dr. Goodman, specialize in minimally invasive procedures, including gallbladder and hernia surgery. In this interview, Dr. Goodman addresses laparoscopic surgery, The Everett Clinic, and the benefits of modern procedures.

Interview with Dr. John Goodman, MD, The Everett Clinic

INTERVIEWER: And the whole notion of laparoscopic surgery… explain to us why that’s a benefit for you as a surgeon, allowing you to do what you do better and also why it’s a benefit for the patient.

DR. GOODMAN: For me it simplifies the treatment. When we took a gall bladder out, for example, patients were in the hospital for five to seven days, we had to see them several times in the office, and deal with wound complications, hernias, re-operation sometimes. With the laparoscope that’s extremely rare. Patients most often go into the outpatient surgery and go home the same day. Sometimes, they see us only once after surgery. They’re back to work in a week usually, or ten days. It’s a completely different model than it used to be. Much simpler and much safer, I think.

With respect to hernias and other laparoscopic surgeries: incisional hernias used to have a higher recurrence rate, prolonged hospitalization, more bowel obstructions. With the laparoscopic surgeries there’s a lower recurrence rate of incisional hernias, shorter hospital stays, less re-operations for bowel obstruction, less pain of course. Patients return to work with restrictions much more quickly.

As far as inguinal hernia surgery, when it’s not done with the laparoscope, we use mesh now which was unheard of 25 years ago. Recurrence rates are much, much lower. They were in the neighborhood of 15 percent, now they’re 1 to 2 percent a year. And, again, patients go back to their regular jobs much quicker. So, again, lots of change in that area, too.

Everett Clinic patients are treated by some of the most renowned doctors in the United States. The Everett Clinic is fortunate to have such highly trained experts from some of the country’s most prestigious schools. There is a reason why more than 250,000 patients a year choose The Everett Clinic for their healthcare.

The Everett Clinic has been a regional healthcare leader since 1924, and you can trust that you’re receiving the best care available, right here in Snohomish County.  With more than 300 physicians in over 40 medical specialties The Everett Clinic has everything you and your family need—from pediatrics to geriatrics. With 16 locations throughout Snohomish County, accessing high-quality, convenient healthcare has never been so easy.