Microsurgery offers incisionless treatment of colorectal cancers, polyps

MOORESVILLE, Ind. – A novel, less-risky procedure to surgically remove early cancers is now being used by surgeons at St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville. The surgery removes low rectal to low sigmoid colon polyps and early cancers of the rectum and low sigmoid colon.
It’s called transanal endoscopic miscrosurgery (TEM), a technique developed in Germany two decades ago that recently was introduced in the United States. Colon and rectal surgeons undergo specialized training to perform the surgery, and hospitals must have advanced equipment to offer TEM.
St. Francis is one of only three hospitals in central Indiana to offer the procedure.
Because of their location, even some early cancers and polyps have required more extensive surgery and possibly a colostomy or temporary ileostomy. Both of those procedures often involve creating an opening whereby bodily wastes pass into an external pouch stuck to the skin.
With TEM, the polyps and cancers are removed with less-invasive laparoscopic procedures, avoiding longer and more risky surgery, as well as their accompanying pain and complications.
"TEM has proven to offer the same outcomes and survival benefit that major colon and rectal surgery does for select patients with rectal and low sigmoid tumors and polyps," said Bridget Sanders, M.D., a surgeon at Kendrick Regional Center for Colon and Rectal Care at St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville. "Most patients can go home the same day or early the next after TEM, where standard surgery usually requires up to a 10-day stay."
Dr. Sanders and Dipen Maun, M.D., also with the center, are two of only six surgeons in central Indiana performing this surgery.
While TEM today is intended for patients with early cancers, some patients with more advanced rectal cancer can be enrolled in national oncology trials that use the less-invasive TEM procedure, Dr. Sanders said.

Study probes lower dose drugs for artificial heart valve patients

INDIANAPOLIS – Chris Connelly was aware he would eventually need surgery to correct a calcified valve in his heart, but what he didn’t suspect was that he might be living on borrowed time.

While attending a recent heart health seminar at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers, Connelly, a father of three, learned about a new Food and Drug Administration-approved clinical trial under way at the St. Francis Heart Center. He inquired and was accepted into the study.

The study tests the safety and effectiveness of using lower dosages of blood-thinning drugs in conjunction with the On-X heart valve, a device manufactured by On-X Life Technololgies of Austin, Texas.

The study is conducted by Cardiac Surgery Associates (CSA ) at St. Francis and other major heart centers nationally. The 33-year-old Connelly received an On-X valve and uses a home monitoring device to help control the anticoagulant therapy he is receiving.

“The On-X valve could become the first mechanical heart valve approved for use with lower doses of anticoagulants such as Coumadin (warfarin) or even antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and Plavix) alone,” said investigator Marc Gerdisch, M.D., CSA medical director and director of cardio-thoracic surgery at St. Francis Heart Center.

“Ultimately, this means a better quality of life for our patients,” Gerdisch added.

Anticoagulants are used to slow down or stop the formation of blood clots. When a prosthetic device replaces the native tissue cardiac valve, it introduces foreign material into the blood stream, which can stimulate clotting. Mechanical heart valves have been around for years but require lifetime coagulation therapy at high dosages.

Biologic tissue valves do not require anticoagulants, but typically require replacement after 8-15 years and therefore another operation.

What makes the On-X unique is its carbon-based material coating combined with superb blood flow performance and an innovative hinge design, allowing the device to perform more like a normal tissue valve.

Candidates seeking the requirements to participate in the study can call 317-851-2582.

To learn more about the services and programs at the St. Francis Heart Center, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/Heart.

St. Francis CEO lauded by groups for leadership, health care advocacy

INDIANAPOLIS – Robert J. Brody, president and chief executive officer of St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers, today (Sept. 9) was awarded the Regents Award by the Indiana Chapter of American College of Healthcare Executives and the Indiana Hospital Association.

The St. Francis chief received the award at the IHA/ACHE breakfast meeting at the Hilton Indianapolis Downtown. Brody was recognized for his exemplary leadership during his tenure at St. Francis and spearheading health care reform locally and regionally.

Brody is active in legislative issues and involved at the national level with the Catholic Health Association. He frequently is invited by lawmakers and the health care industry to comment on public health issues.
A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Brody assumed his current position at St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers in November 1996, following four years as the hospital's executive vice president and chief operating officer.
He holds a bachelor's degree from Boston College and a master's degree in health administration from Duke University. He completed an administrative residency at Ochsner Clinic in New Orleans, La.
Prior to joining St. Francis, he held executive and leadership positions at CentraState Medical Center, (N.J.), Senior Care Centers of America Inc. (N.J.) Maxicare (N.C.), VHA Consulting Services (Texas) and Madison Health Associates (N.J.)

Brody is a member of Lay Board of Advisors of Sisters of St. Benedict-Beech Grove, Ind. He also holds board memberships with the te Archdiocese of Indianapolis – Catholic Community Foundation, Inc., Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library Foundation, Indiana Health Information Exchange, St. Francis Healthcare Foundation, St. Francis Health Network and The Sycamore School of Indianapolis.

An Indianapolis resident, Brody is a former board member of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Indiana Inc., and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

More information about the ACHE Indiana chapter is at www.ache.org/chapters/chapterdirectory.cfm.

The sound and potential fury: Heart murmurs explained at free seminar

INDIANAPOLIS – That low whispering inside some human hearts may speak volumes about a person’s health.

At an upcoming “Ask the Doc” program sponsored by the St. Francis Heart Center on Tuesday, Sept. 30, cardiothoracic surgeon Marc Gerdisch, M.D., will explain why it is important to understand how heart valves cause murmurs and when it’s time to seek treatment. Gerdisch is the Medical Director of Cardiac Surgery Associates in Indianapolis.

Valves inside the heart that do not open or close properly cause heart murmurs. People can live with heart murmurs a long time without any symptoms. In fact, the heart can suffer considerable damage from heart valve disease, before symptoms become noticeable. Heart failure may result from longstanding or sudden onset of valve disease.

“A heart murmur does not necessarily signal a problem. Many murmurs are harmless. However, their relationship to the heart valves needs to be understood and frequently, they require follow-up to ensure that heart continues to function normally,” says Gerdisch, director of Cardio-thoracic Surgery at St. Francis Heart Center.

“Imaging the heart with sound waves, allows us to monitor the impact of valve disease on the heart and therefore treat it at the right time,” Gerdisch said. “There has been considerable innovation in heart valve treatment, including our ability to repair valves instead of replace them.”

The free, hour-long program starts at 6:30 p.m. at Greenwood Public Library, 310 S. Meridian St. To register, call 317-782-4422.

To learn more about the services and programs at the St. Francis Heart Center, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/Heart.

Macy’s ‘Shop For a Cause’ benefits St. Francis Hospice House

INDIANAPOLIS – St. Francis Hospice and Macy’s are offering a program that will expand hospice care services and benefit consumers.

Proceeds from local ticket sales for the Saturday, Sept. 20 “Shop For a Cause” program will go to the St. Francis Hospice House initiative, which seeks to construct a facility near St. Francis Hospital-Indianapolis on the city’s south side.

The price is $5 for each shopping pass purchased and provides consumers with a wide range of discounts on regular, sale and clearance merchandise at any Macy’s department store in the United States. Ticket-holders also may eligible to win a $500 Macy’s shopping spree.

Macy’s “Shop for a Cause” is an annual one-day event and supports non-profit groups in communities throughout the United States. There are Macy’s stores in Indianapolis and Greenwood areas.

Tickets can be obtained by contacting Glenda Dennison, volunteer coordinator at St. Francis Hospice, at 317-859-2874, or Dawn Webb at 317-783-8930.

The St. Francis Healthcare Foundation is spearheading a campaign to build a free-standing 16-suite facility with room for expansion to 32 suites. It also would gathering and dining areas, landscaping and a chapel. It is estimated that Hospice House will serve more than 800 patients per year.

Since 1990, St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers’ Hospice Services has provided compassionate care to individuals with limited life expectancies, emphasizing quality of life and dignity through the end-of-life experience.

To learn more about St. Francis Hospice, go to www.stfrancishospitals.org/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=280.