Laparoscopically Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy:
A Patient Success Story
Fall 2005
As Sandra Taylor describes it, "several
excellent family experiences" solidified her
decision to undergo an elective partial
hysterectomy under the supervision of the
Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery
(CBMS) at Pennsylvania Hospital.
"In our family, whenever we can plan
ahead for surgeries, we say, let's go to
Pennsylvania Hospital," said Mrs.Taylor, 47,
of Burlington, New Jersey.
Mrs. Taylor underwent a laparoscopically assisted
vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH) to relieve pain caused
by multiple fibroids and endometriosis.
Mrs. Taylor, who enjoys golfing, described
the pain as "random and unexpected." It was
affecting some of her normal activities.
"My gynecologist explained to me that the
pain I was feeling was most likely caused by
an infected necrotic fibroid. The surgery
wasn't something that I had to do. I was told
that sometimes fibroids go away with
menopause."
Since Mrs.Taylor wasn't experiencing
menopausal symptoms, she started
researching alternative treatment options.
"I did a lot of research and wanted to
explore my alternatives. Because of my
familiarity with the Center for Bloodless
Medicine and Surgery, I contacted them about
this fibroid diagnosis," she said.
Thomas
C.Randall, MD, Assistant Professor of obstetrics
and gynecology and part of the Center for Bloodless
Medicine and Surgery team at Pennsylvania Hospital
(see profile on back cover), performed the operation.
In addition, Patricia
Ford, MD, the Center's medical director, managed
her care prior to the surgery.
Mrs. Taylor comments, "I met with Dr.
Randall and Dr. Ford in early May. Dr. Ford put
me on an iron supplement. Other than that,
there were no other special preparations for
the surgery." The Center's staff helped her with
completing an advance medical directive and
Dr. Randall explained the techniques the
Center's surgeons use to minimize blood loss.
Mrs. Taylor, a finance manager for a major
health insurance company, and her family
prefer non-blood medical management due
to religious preferences. Over the years, her
mother, father and husband have had
excellent experiences as patients under the
care of physicians and hospitals affiliated
with the University of Pennsylvania Health
System. She and her husband decided that
coming to the Center for Bloodless Medicine
and Surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital
was the best decision.
Mrs. Taylor's hospital stay lasted one day.
There were no complications and her recovery
went well. She returned to work and most of
her regular activities within four weeks after
the surgery.
"I was playing golf again just seven weeks
after my surgery," she said.
Mrs.Taylor added, "It has been three
months now and I feel great. I must express
my deepest appreciation to the staff at the
Center for Bloodless Medicine and Surgery at
Pennsylvania Hospital. They make the choices
easy for you. They take good care of you."
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