Medical: Gallbladder removal with one incision

Dr. Christopher McIltrot, a board-certified surgeon on staff at Rowan Regional Medical Center, is performing gallbladder removal with an instrument that only requires one incision, becoming the first physician in our area to offer this advanced procedure.

The instrument, called the Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery Port, is a flexible piece of material that can be fitted through a small incision in the belly button, which results in a single "hidden scar." That's a cosmetic advance over the multiple visible scars associated with standard multi-port laparoscopy.

Laparoscopic procedures, specifically gallbladder removals, performed through a single incision are a significant evolution in the world of surgery. While laparoscopy traditionally offers better patient outcomes, including less pain than the open approach, the new procedures have the potential to dramatically extend these benefits.

"Most patients are back to normal activities within a few days," McIltrot said. "I am excited to offer my patients an alternative to a traditional gall bladder removal."

Traditionally, gallbladder removals were performed by making a large incision almost 5 to 7 inches in length in the abdomen below the ribcage. The physician would then insert the surgical instruments through the incision and perform the removal.

This type of surgery would leave a much larger, visible scar and the area of pain for the patient was greater. Today, laparoscopic procedures are preferred by many physicians because the recovery time for the patients is much less.

Ippolito in Marine Corps Marathon

Dr. Mark Ippolito of Rowan Neurology competed in the Marine Corps Marathon on Oct. 25, in Washington, D.C.

Ippolito spent several months training for the 26.2 mile run. He was one of 30,000 runners who competed in the event this year and finished in the top 12 percent.

Poster on lupus research presented

Dr. Stacy Kennedy, of Rowan Rheumatology and Arthritis recently presented a poster of her research, The Relationship of Physical Activity to Lupus Activity and Damage, at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Conference in Philadelphia.

The research demonstrated the majority of lupus patients do not meet the U.S. guidelines for physical activity and explored the reasons for this result. Her research was completed in conjunction with rheumatologists from Duke University and Ohio State University.

The American College of Rheumatology is an organization of and for physicians, health professionals and scientists that advances rheumatology through programs of education, research, advocacy and practice support that foster excellence in the care of people with arthritis and rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.