Whenever I need medical care, I choose to go out of my way to Somerset Medical Center. Dr. Seenivasan was amazing, and I wouldn’t have done the surgery any other way.”
Franklin had a long history of gastrointestinal problems. The 58-year-old certified public accountant suffered from diverticulitis — a condition in which small pouches called diverticula form on the colon and become inflamed or infected. He also had a history of kidney stones. When Franklin began having severe and reoccurring pain in his lower abdomen, his urologist used advanced imaging tests to pinpoint the problem. They showed a large, unidentified mass attached to his colon.
Franklin’s diverticula had become infected and caused perforations, or tears, in the colon wall. “Further tests confirmed the mass was scar tissue that formed due to a perforated colon,” says Franklin. “I learned I was lucky to survive, but needed my colon repaired immediately so it didn’t happen again. If it did, I probably would not be as fortunate.”
Robotic Surgery is Less Invasive, More Precise
Franklin was referred to Than Seenivasan, MD, a surgeon at Somerset Medical
Center. Dr. Seenivasan recommended robotic surgery for the colon repair.
At first, Franklin was skeptical of robotic surgery. However, after Dr.
Seenivasan thoroughly explained the minimally invasive approach, Franklin
readily agreed.
“It’s important to know the robot is a tool, not a procedure. The surgeon controls every movement,” explains Dr. Seenivasan. “The technology allows us to perform more difficult surgeries that would otherwise require open surgery. Such was the case with Mr. Franklin.”
Robotic surgery involves just a few tiny incisions. The surgeon controls the procedure, guiding robotic arms through the incisions while viewing a high-definition monitor.
“Robotic-assisted surgery provides 10 times the magnification of the surgical site than the naked eye,” explains Dr. Seenivasan. “This allows us to perform the surgery much more precisely, resulting in fewer complications, less blood loss and a quicker recovery.”
Investment in Excellence
Somerset Medical Center began offering robotic surgical options in 2010.
The program’s success is due to the coordinated expertise of the
medical center’s surgical team.
“Our surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses are highly trained in robotic surgical techniques,” says Sharon Yeh, RN, robotic surgery coordinator. “Somerset Medical Center has invested in this technology and expertise as a necessity for the future.”
A Fresh Start
Dr. Seenivasan performed robotic surgery on Franklin, removing 15 inches
of diseased colon. The next day, Franklin was up and walking. He went
home a few days later.
The surgery completely eliminated Franklin’s diverticulitis and allowed his colon to work normally without the need for a colostomy bag. Franklin celebrated by eating fresh strawberries and vanilla ice cream — a favorite treat he could not eat for years due to his condition.
“The surgery was almost as uneventful as having my wisdom teeth taken out,” says Franklin. “As a resident of Edison, I’m surrounded by three reputable hospitals. Whenever I need medical care, I choose to go out of my way to Somerset Medical Center. Dr. Seenivasan was amazing, and I wouldn’t have done the surgery any other way.”