Specialists at Orlando Health have adopted a multidisciplinary, minimally invasive approach to foregut surgeries, creating highly individualized treatment plans for patients with even the most complex cases. Board-certified general surgeons collaborate with colleagues in thoracic, bariatric and digestive health using the most advanced clinical laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgical systems to treat diseases of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
“The foregut encompasses a broad area of the upper GI tract, allowing for surgical partnership among specialists,” says Francisco Couto, MD, a board-certified minimally invasive surgeon with Orlando Health Medical Group Surgery.
“With collaboration, you're making sure the patient gets the customized care that they need,” says Dr. Couto, who specializes in abdominal wall reconstruction, hernia surgery, para-esophageal hernia repair and surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). “It's really important to have a program in place like this for foregut.”
Partnering with digestive health specialists enables surgeons at Orlando Health to immediately address a wide range of upper GI diseases such as paraoesophageal hernias, achalasia, gastroparesis, GERD and laryngopharyngeal reflux. Procedures include:
- Comprehensive laparoscopic and robotic surgical repair for paraoesophageal hernias
- Heller myotomy for achalasia, with more advanced peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for esophagus or gastric dysmotility
- Pyloroplasty and antrectomies for peptic ulcer disease on patients with disease refractory to medications
- Nissen fundoplication or LINX for younger patients who do not want to take GERD medications or refractory to medications
- Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) to remove gastrointestinal tumors
- Gastric neurostimulator implantation, approved under a humanitarian device exemption (HDE), for treating gastroparesis in patients with nausea nonrespondent to medication
- Robotic esophageal surgery to treat esophageal cancer, esophageal diverticulum and other esophageal diseases
Communication among foregut specialists allows for optimal outcomes. “Not everything is surgical,” says Dr. Couto. “Our multidisciplinary approach allows us to work in tandem to make the diagnosis and treatment plan that works best for our patients using the most advanced technologies and therapies available.”
In addition to its advanced treatments and technology, Orlando Health is recognized for exceptional bedside care. Three of its hospitals, including tertiary care center Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC), have achieved Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In Florida, Orlando Health holds more active Beacon Awards for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses than any hospital system.
To refer a patient, use EpicCare link or call (321) 841-9678.
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