Skip to content
Call Us Today! 212-533-4646 | MON-FRI 12PM - 4PM (EST)
DONATE
SUBSCRIBE
Search for:
About Us
Publications
FAQ
Annual Report 2023
Annual Report 2022
Annual Report 2021
Initiatives
Advocate
Educate
Cultivate
Care
News
Newsletters
Sign Up For Our Newsletter
Join UNWLA
Become a Member
Volunteer With Us
Donate to UNWLA
Members Portal
Calendar
Shop to Support Ukraine
Search for:
Print
Print Page
Download
Download Page
Download Right Page
Open
1
2-3
4-5
6-7
8-9
10-11
12-13
14-15
16-17
18-19
20-21
22-23
24-25
26-27
28-29
30-31
32-33
34-35
36-37
38-39
40
“НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, КВІТЕНЬ 201 2 WWW. UNWLA.ORG 33 MEDICINE — ON THE CUTTING EDGE by Ihor Magun, MD, FACP The number of new accompli shments in medicine has been not h- ing short of extraordinary. Recent i nnovative technology provides amb i- tious new approaches and technique s as alternatives to current trea t- ment. Here is a sampling of new advances. Abnormal thyroid gr owth issues are a common occurrence in many young women. For the most part, surgical correct ion is the only viable option. This option leaves a visible , permanent scar on the neck. “ Scarless ” thyroidectomies can now be accomplished via an endoscope ut i- lizing two cameras along with three robotic arms inserted into a single armpit incision, eliminating visible scars. Pacemakers have been life savers for many with significant cardiac issues. Ironically , many of the same patients, at some point in their life, require an MRI (e.g. evaluation of a stroke, brai n imaging, or spinal evaluation). Patients with an implanted pacemaker cannot undergo this type of evaluation because of a potential risk of dislodgment or change in technological functioning. Unlike traditional pacemakers, the Revo MRI SureScan can be safely used in MRI procedures. A dditional cardiac innovations include correc - tion of an aortic valve (a major valve in the heart) without the need for an open chest a p- proach (approach that cuts the chest ribs to expose the heart) . The technique is called PAVR — percutaneous aortic valve replacement. Currently , it is limited to those individuals who are deemed inoperable by a cardiothoracic surgeon, but in the near fut ure, the indication w ill be expanded to include high - risk patients. Evaluatio n of the arteries of the heart — cardiac catheterization — util izes the artery found in the groin. A new approach referred to as trans - radial artery approach is now becomi ng an o p- tio n. In this method, the arteries of the heart are evaluated by passing wires through an a r- tery in the wrist. The advantages include a si g- nificant ly lower risk of complications (bleed - ing, especially in women , and possible nerve damage), less discomfort, an d a more rapid r e- covery. There is also a decreased hospital time for patient s . Previous techniques utilizing the groin approach required a four - to six - hour time period of lying on the back prior to di s- charge. Hospital time is probably only half of that wi th the trans radial approach. Breast cancer patients who opt to undergo r e- co nstructive surgery for cosmetic breast cor - rect ion need to receive saline injections every few weeks to promote gradual expansion of the skin and muscle in the chest. This is to allow a space to accommodate a breast implant. These injections can be quite uncomfortable for some women , coupled with an added burden of fr e- qu ent hospital visits over a four - to six - month period. A new needle - free tissue ex pansion m e- thod eliminates injections and frequent hospi t- al visits . The new technique utilizes a small implantable expander device. Once the patient is at home, a remote - contr ol device releases small amounts of compressed carbon dioxide from a valve in the actua l expander. A recent study of th e device in Australia reported cre a- tion of a space in as little as fifteen days. This compared equally to spaces created after se v- eral m onths of saline injections. The benefit of this system is placing the patient in charge, at home, controlling the expansion at her own pace and comfort level. This is just a small sampling of innova - tions that can be life - altering and life - saving for man y. Hopefully, none of us would have to resort to these procedures. Nevertheless, I hope I have empowered you with this information about the new advan ces and options that truly are on the cutting edge of modern medicine.
Page load link
Go to Top
1 
2-3 
4-5 
6-7 
8-9 
10-11 
12-13 
14-15 
16-17 
18-19 
20-21 
22-23 
24-25 
26-27 
28-29 
30-31 
32-33 
34-35 
36-37 
38-39 
40 
