Laparoscopic procedures, quick recovery

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. (WTNH) -- More community hospitals across Connecticut are offering the latest in treatment and technology. News 8's Medical Reporter Jocelyn Maminta spent the day at Windham Hospital, finding out how patients there are benefiting.

Lori Bender shows no signs of having a hysterectomy just last week.

"Just a tiny bit of bruising, no stitches, just amazing," said Bender.

Her quick recovery is due to a relatively new single incision laparascopic procedure performed by OB-GYN Dr. Robert Gildersleeve at Windham Hospital.

"It's taking a complex surgical procedure and trying to do it through a small single hole," said Dr. Gildersleeve. "A gel point is a newer innovation that allows for an introduction of many laparoscopic instruments. Two or three or more through a single incision and through those we see with a camera and we are able to operate with long skinny instruments that reach down the area we are interested in."

Revolutionary minimally invasive methods like this are just among the latest big city techniques and technology, offered in community hospitals like Windham.

In Radiology, the prostate MRI is used to detect prostate cancer, the second most common cancer among men.

"It's the best diagnostic method we have," said Dr. Steve Lee. "If a patient has an abnormal digital exam and has a biopsy and comes back negative, you just want to make sure there's no misdiagnosis."

Dr. Steve Lee heads up the department.

"Prostate MRI will show you in the minutest detail a two millimeter nodule that could potentially be an early cancer," said Dr. Lee.

It's about offering the best care possible for patients like Lori Bender.

"Anything that gets me back to work quicker is always good to me, as long as it is safe," said Bender. 

The single incision has cut down recovery from 6 weeks to about half that time. Conventional laparoscopic surgery would have used 3 to four incisions.