Patients who have been diagnosed with lung cancer have a number of treatment options available depending on the type and stage of the disease. Options include chemotherapy, radiation treatment and of course, surgical intervention. It is usual for patients to receive all three treatment regimes as part of their oncology therapy.

Surgery is indicated when in the early stages of the disease as the tumor is confined to a relatively small area and has not spread t other parts of the body. The removal of the tumor is known as a “resection” or you may hear the tumor as being “resectable”. In later stages of the disease, surgery is not usually as beneficial as chemotherapy or radiation treatment in tackling the disease, though “palliative surgery” may be advisable to provide relief for end-stage (Stage IV) lung cancer.

Surgery is not likely to be beneficial in treating the disease when it has spread to the lungs from another part of the body (referred to as “metastasized”), unless the cancer is non-aggressive and the tumor is not large.

Where surgery may be beneficial in curing the disease there are two types of surgical intervention which may take place:

Minimally invasive surgery; and
Traditional open surgery

Minimally Invasive Surgery

This involves the surgeon making two small incisions between the ribs. Each of the incisions are typically an inch or so, but this provides enough room for a skilled surgeon to operate without the need for rib spreading.

In the upper incision, a camera is inserted which relays a high-definition television picture which is used to guide the surgeon as they operate through the second lower incision. This type of surgery is also sometimes referred to as Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery or VATS.

VATS has several advantages for patients whose lung cancer is susceptible to treatment using this technique. There are fewer complications that can arise, while the recovery time and stay in hospital are significantly reduced and the patient experiences much less pain due to the ribs not being spread. Minimally invasive surgery allows patients with early stage lung cancer to return to enjoying a high quality standard of life. Where chemotherapy is required after the operation, the length of treatment is reduced and stands a greater chance of success because it may be initiated much sooner than the alternatives.

Typically, a patient is able to stand up and walk around within two hours of surgery and is usually released from hospital within a day or two.

Traditional Open Chest Surgery

Patients may not be a suitable candidate for minimally invasive surgery, usually associated with anatomical reasons or location of the tumor and stage of the disease. Traditional open surgery involves an incision in the patient’s side and the spreading of the ribs to provide the surgeon with access to the tumor.

Palliative Surgery

Palliative surgery is used to make a patient more comfortable during the end-stages of the disease when the condition has become incurable. For instance, the tumor may need to be removed because it is causing an obstruction of the airway.

Otoplasty is a cosmetic surgery used to reshape the external ear. Otoplasty candidates opt for the surgery in the attempt to correct many different ear abnormalities including ears that flare out from the skull, over sized, asymmetrical, deformed or damaged ears, as well as microtic and absent organs. Otoplasty does not alter a person’s ability to hear; it is primarily preformed because the patient is dissatisfied with the appearance of their ears.

Ear reshaping surgery is often preformed because these organs tend to flare out from the head. This is due to an enlarged concha bowl which causes the organ to be overly prominent. This surgery is often referred to as ear pinning because following the surgery they appear to have been pinned back to the head. In reality, the surgeon makes an incision behind the organ and removes a small wedge of cartilage from the concha. The result is less prominent ears.

When someone feels they have over sized ears it is usually because they lack appropriate folding along the antihelix (the outer rim of the ear). The surgeon is able to reshape the antihelix by making precise and predetermined scratches on the front surface of the organ. These scratches weaken the cartilage allowing the surgeon to fold and reshape it appropriately through an incision made in the back.

This method generally does not require permanent sutures. In some cases of over sized ears, surgeons will remove cartilage. This is mostly done through an incision behind the organ but sometimes it may be necessary for the surgeon to make incision on the front surface. When this is necessary, the surgeon will make the cuts within the folds so that scars will be hidden and appear minimal.

In the case of damaged organs or those that have been deformed or absent from birth, a combination of these methods may be used. Building up of the cartilage may also be necessary. This is done by removing material from another area of the body and incorporating it into the new organ. Small pieces used in ear shaping surgery are most commonly taken from the ribs or the other ear.

These types of otoplasty are extensive and only be preformed by qualified and experienced plastic surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, or ENT’s. The results generally favorable, but perfection should not be expected. It is very difficult to reshape a highly deformed or damaged ear, and even more difficult to create a new one and have it look natural and normal. But the results are generally preferred to the preexisting condition.

When trying to correct uneven or unbalanced ears, otoplasty can be effective. But is important to remember that slight asymmetry is normal and that perfection should not be expected from surgery. Rarely are both ears seen at the same time and so otoplasty should only be performed when the imbalance is severe.

Otoplasty is generally preformed on children ages 5-14. Most ears are fully grown by age five. Adults may have the surgery done with minimal risks, however optimal results are achieved when the patient is young and the cartilage is still extremely pliable. Another benefit of having the procedure at a young age is that children may avoid more of the teasing and name calling that often accompany prominent or deformed ears.

The Gender specific knee replacement is meant to improve overall function after a knee replacement in Indian women. In India, women constitute 60 percent of patients undergoing a total knee replacement. Until now Indian surgeons used knee implants that were designed on the average measurements of knee sizes of men & women. The Gender specific or Woman special knee is the only knee implant specifically designed for women.

It is based upon findings presented at the meeting of biomedical and biomechanical engineers in the US. It was first introduced in the US in 2006. It was launched in India in April 2007 and most women preferring a high flexion knee replacement opt for the Gender specific knee. Patients have reported rapid relief from pain and earlier return of function in comparison to non gender knees. They needed hospital shorter hospital stay.

Anatomic differences between the two sexes have been acknowledged for long but only recently applied to design of orthopedic implants. The Gender specific knee is based on the anatomical facts that the thigh bone or femur in Indian women is narrower from side to side, the knee cap rides on a more oblique line and the lower end of the front of the thigh bone is less prominent.

The surgical technique is not significantly different.

The new knee prosthesis can be implanted through the highly successful technique of minimally invasive or less invasive surgery in which the incision is only 4- 5 inches long. This woman knee prosthesis also allows high flexion. Post operative pain is significantly reduced and hence patients can be discharged from hospital within a week.

Women who have undergone this gender knee replacement in India are very satisfied with the result at two years of follow up.

Combining two plastic surgery procedures is a common practice. Often a breast lift surgery is performed in conjunction with implants or a brow lift procedure is performed in conjunction with an eye job. However a surgery can have more than just a cosmetic benefit. That is exactly the case with taking care of an umbilical hernia. Your surgeon will find it easy to repair this painful condition, while he performs a tummy tuck surgery to give you a flatter and more toned stomach.

So what is an umbilical hernia? It is a condition when the abdominal wall around the belly button has a weak spot or an opening that allows your insides to poke through. The protrusion may include part of the intestine or other organs along with fluids and tissue. Ouch! That sounds agonizing, doesn’t it?

It may be painful but not always. However, whether you find it little or no discomfort, you may still want to have it corrected to avoid the risk of more serious complications. Like an umbilical hernia may twist and strangle the tissue and any other affected organs if left to its own devises. It can be extremely painful and if left alone, the lack of blood supply to the area may lead to tissue death.

What causes this umbilical hernia?

Obesity and pregnancy could be the common reasons mostly women who have had a number of children or a long hard labor. Women who have lost a considerable amount of weight and who have had children can be the typical candidates for a tummy tuck. So, without doubt it makes sense that repairing the umbilical hernia and the tummy tuck ought to go together.

Surgeons remove excess skin from the abdominal area by making an incision, typically around the belly button and across the hip in a tummy tuck procedure. While doing this, the surgeon is also capable of replacing the bulging contents of the hernia and close up the weakened area or opening. As an additional benefit, you may have your insurance company cover the expenditure of the procedure, because there is a medical reason for it.

Always select the right plastic surgeon if you have decided to go for the surgery. First of all you must save your time and energy by making sure if he is willing to perform a combination of tummy tuck and umbilical hernia repair.

Find out if he has any experience in performing such a surgery and if he has any experience then verify his credentials. Also find out if he is board certified and licensed to perform plastic surgery. During your consultation, don’t hesitate to ask him questions about the actual procedure and the recovery.

You can check the before and after photos, so you know what to expect. If your insurance company will not cover the cost of the operation or it will cover only a part of it, make sure you research your finance options well.

Be well prepared before the surgery so you don’t repent later. You will certainly feel the difference in your mental and physical well-being after your recovery period is over. By doing your homework, you can not only enjoy having a more toned belly, but also you can have potentially dangerous condition repaired. You can flaunt your bikinis at the beach!