General Surgery Procedures

Hampton Regional Medical Center wants your surgery experience to be excellent. We start by selecting physicians and staff who have a strong desire to help others heal. Our expectation for excellence touches every facet of your care, from the day you learn that surgery is an option to the day you return home after having surgery. It's important to us that we provide follow up care and help your loved ones too. We want to remain your trusted health care provider for innovative surgery, so our goal is to ensure excellence for every patient, every time. Please consider our range of health care surgery services.

Surgical Procedures

• Breast Surgery (including biopsy, lumpectomy needle localization, auxiliary node dissection, and mastectomy)
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy
• Hemodialysis access
• Hemorrhoidectomy, fissurectomy, and istulectomy
• Laparoscopic surgery (a minimally invasive surgery involving the gallbladder, hernias, appendectomy, lysis of adhesions, colon resection, laparoscopic fundoplication (GERD, hiatal hernia), liver biopsy, and diagnostic procedures)
• Peripheral Vascular Procedures
• Removal of skin lesions, lumps, chemo port placement
• Sigmoidoscopy and Colonoscopy with biopsy and polypectomy
• Surgery of the pancreas, liver, spleen, stomach, small and large bowel, and the rectum
• Thyroid and Parathyroid surgery, Neck dissection /li>
  
  

  Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

  
  Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is an examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and upper duodenum with a small camera (flexible endoscope) which is inserted down the throat. A local anesthetic is sprayed into the mouth to suppress the need to cough or gag when the endoscope is inserted. A mouth guard will be inserted to protect teeth and the endoscope. In most cases, an intravenous line will be inserted into your arm to administer medications during the procedure. After the gag reflex has been suppressed by the anesthetic, the endoscope will be advanced through the esophagus to the stomach and duodenum. Air will be introduced through the endoscope to enhance viewing. The lining of these organs is examined and biopsies can be obtained through the endoscope.
  
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  Hemodialysis Access

  Hemodialysis access involves the placement of a tunneled temporary access catheter. Anesthesia is required to perform this procedure; however, the type of anesthesia can be decided by both the patient and the doctor. The selection is dependent upon the patient's needs, medical condition, and the type of access being performed; most can be performed on an outpatient basis.
  
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  Hemorrhoidectomy

  
  Hemorrhoid surgery is the removal of enlarged veins around the anus. Hemorrhoids are swollen, dilated varicose veins inside or outside the anus that are caused by increased pressure, such as straining when constipated or during pregnancy. Hemorrhoids can cause pain, bleeding, clots, and itching. Hemorrhoids are removed surgically while the patient is sedated and pain-free (local or spinal anesthesia) or deep asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia). The hemorrhoid is removed and a gauze packing is inserted to reduce bleeding. For smaller hemorrhoids, a small rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid, causing the hemorrhoid tissue to die and fall off from lack of blood flow. Alternatively, such hemorrhoids can be injected with a sclerosing (hardening) agent, which has the same effect. These procedures can often be done as an outpatient or office procedure with minimal or no anesthesia.
  
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  Laparoscopic Surgery

  
  Surgery is performed using a laparoscope. This less-invasive technique allows the surgeon to make smaller incisions, which lowers the risk of large scars and hernias after the procedure. First, small incisions are made in your abdomen. The surgeon passes slender surgical instruments through these narrow openings. The surgeon also passes a camera (laparoscope) through one of these small openings and watches through a lens and video monitor to do the surgery. Not everyone is a candidate for the laparoscopic (minimally invasive) approach. If you weigh more than 350 pounds or if you have had abdominal surgery in the past, you are probably NOT a good candidate for laparoscopy. Your surgeon will determine the best and safest approach for you.
  
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  Peripheral Vascular Procedures

  
  Surgery is performed only on severe cases where the ability to work or pursue essential activities is affected. Surgery may consist of removing the lining of the artery(endarterectomy), or repairing or replacing the vessel (grafting); most commonly, bypass surgery is performed, using a vein or synthetic graft. Alternatives to surgery may include treatments such as balloon angioplasty (a similar technique to that used to open the coronary arteries, but performed on the blood vessels of the affected extremity), sometimes followed by stent implantation, laser treatment, or other treatments.
  
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  Sigmoidoscopy with biopsy and polypectomy

  
  Sigmoidoscopy is an internal examination of the distal large bowel (colon), using an instrument called a sigmoidoscope. The sigmoidoscope is a small camera attched to a flexible tube. It is inserted into the colon to examine the rectum, sigmoid, and descending portions of the colon.
  
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  Colonoscopy

  
  A colonoscopy is an internal examination of the colon, using an instrument called a colonoscope; this instrument consists of a small camera attached to a flexible tube. After administration of a sedative and pain reliever, the colonoscope is inserted through the anus and gently advanced to the terminal small bowel. A sample of colon tissue is obtained, and the specimen is sent to the laboratory for testing. The difference between a colonoscopy and a sigmoidoscopy is the latter examines only the lower third of the colon; whereas, the colonoscopy examines the entire length of the colon.
  
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  Thyroid Surgery

  
  The thyroid is a gland located in the neck. It is a part of the endocrine (hormone) system, and plays a major role in regulating the body's metabolism. An incision is made in the front of the neck. All or part of the thyroid gland, depending on the particular procedure, is removed. In general, patients recover rapidly from uncomplicated thyroid surgery. Most patients are able to resume most normal activities within 1-2 weeks.
  
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  Parathyroid surgery

  
  Parathyroidectomy is a surgical procedure to remove parathyroid glands or parathyroid tumors. During the surgery, a small horizontal incision is created just under the Adam's apple to get access to the parathyroid glands. Parathyroidectomy is recommended when the parathyroid glands produce excessive amounts of the parathyroid hormone, referred to as hyperparathyroidism. After surgery, complete healing without complications usually occurs within 4 weeks. 
  
  
  
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