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A Parable of Two Surgeons

By David Holtz, MD | July 18, 2011
David Holtz is a practicing Gynecologic Oncologist with Main Line Gynecologic Oncology Associates and the Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology for the Main Line Health System. He is the first gynecologic surgeon in Pennsylvania to perform procedures for uterine and cervical cancer with the daVinci Robot, and he is a Clinical Assistant Professor with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and the Lankenau Institute for Medical Research. Dr. Holtz’s clinical interests include minimally invasive surgery for women’s cancers and nanoparticles in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

This week, I spent over 3 hours struggling with my chief resident in a clinic case doing a robotic hysterectomy and staging. Granted, the patient was an obese, hypertensive diabetic who benefited from avoiding a big midline incision, but it did make me think of one of my mentors from fellowship.

Dr. R, a busy gynecologic oncologist who performs 7-10 hysterectomies per week, once turned to me and said he would not be able to practice if he had to spend the time needed for laparoscopic hysterectomies. For him, the opportunity costs of switching to laparoscopic surgery was too high, and he would state boldly that he did not get paid more if a patient went home or returned to work sooner.

I do about 75% of my hysterectomies laparoscopically. The decreased work of early return to home and fewer office visits for wound separations outweighs the extra time in the OR.

How do you balance your costs? Do we have an obligation to consider costs like hospital stay and return to work?
 

 

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by Cleve Ziegler | July 20, 2011 10:58 AM EDT

Issues are somwhat different in Canada, where OR time is at a premium and is essentially rationed. The ethical issues of transforming 1-2 hour surgeries into 4-6 hour surgeries, doing fewer cases and increasing wait times are significant, in my opinion. It is also a fallacy that robotic or laparoscopic surgery, for that matter, tarnsform "large midline incisions" into minimally invasive surgeries. Most of these cases can be done through phannenstiel or maylard incisions with very low morbidity and almost equal return to work and normal activities. The need for extensive lymph node sampling, which arguably has not been shown to improve survival or influence adjuvant treatment is often used as justification by GYN Oncologists for extensive surgery in endometrial cancer. Time to look at all these issues critically when jumping on the robotic bandwagon.
Cleve Ziegler, M.D.

Article Comment Pages: 1 2 Previous







TopicIndex

 

Adhesions
Breast Health and Breast Care
Contraception
Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
Endometriosis
Fetal Monitoring
Fibroids
Gestational Diabetes
Gynecologic Oncology
Hysterectomy
Infertility
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Laparoscopy
Malpractice

  Menopause
Osteoporosis

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Postpartum Depression
Pelvic Pain
Premenstrual Syndrome/Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMS/PMDD)
Pregnancy and Birth
Sex-related Issues
Ultrasound
Urogynecology
Uterine (Endometrial) Polyps
Weight Management
Young Women

 

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I really need help from OB/GYNs and I'm having a hard time getting it. I find your opinions really valuable. I'm researching recommendations for cosleeping. This is for my dissertation, so your time is truly appreciated! Please complete the full survey. It will help me tremendously.

The study takes about 5 to 10 minutes to complete. Please don't hesitate to contact me at bhamel@pacificu.edu with any questions.

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Thank GOD for the EMR. Three million dollars and the only benefit is that we can get a BMI 10 seconds faster.

I think the NEJM got it correct last month when they said in an atricle that the only ones who truly benefit from electronic medical record systems are the people who make and sell them.



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