Page 6 - Hobe Sound Reflections - November '24

Page 6, Hobe Sound

taMpa general news

TGH First In Tampa Region residency at the University of similar to colonoscopies. This is a game-changer for patients
usually deemed too sick for general anesthesia.”
Offering Same-Day Spinal Mississippi Medical Center. Kim notes that patients with ruptured discs typically
Subsequently, he pursued
Surgery a fellowship in endoscopic recover the same day, whereas those with more chronic
spine surgery at the
illnesses recover in the span of a few days up to a week.
University of Washington TGH Neuroscience Institute surgeons perform more
Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is the first health system Harborview Medical minimally invasive spine surgeries than any other hospital
in the Tampa region to treat a range of spine diseases and Center. “I’ve witnessed the in the region, including endoscopic laser spine surgeries,
conditions via minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery. progression from traditional microdiscectomies, laminectomies, foraminotomies and
Patients at the academic health system’s TGH Neuroscience open surgery to minimally lumbar fusions.
Institute experience same-day discharge, quicker recovery, invasive spine surgery,” Tampa General is ranked by U.S. News & World Report
minimal downtime and less pain. he said. “The endoscopic 2024/25 as a high performing hospital for neurology
The procedure involves the surgeon inserting the spine surgery represents the Dr. Patrick Kim and neurosurgery, meaning the academic health system
endoscope through a tiny incision about the size of a pencil pinnacle of that progression.” is among the top 10 percent of hospitals in the nation.
tip to access an affected area, such as a herniated disc. The Tampa General’s Spine Neurosurgery Program leverages Additionally, the TGH Neuroscience Institute is one of the
device is then guided to the spine to capture video that’s a multidisciplinary team of physicians who specialize in the top neurology and spine programs in the U.S., according
projected onto a monitor. The surgeon can also insert treatment and management of degenerative cervical and to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2023 list of “Hospitals and
miniature tools through the endoscope to help perform lumbar conditions, and complex spinal deformities. Health Systems with Spine and Neuroscience Programs
procedures to treat bone spurs, chronic pain, degenerative How do you know if you’re a candidate for spine surgery? to Know.”
disc disease, facet joint syndrome, herniated discs, sciatic Kim said that 80 percent of the U.S. adult population Since 2020, Tampa General has been creating a
nerve compression and spinal stenosis. experiences lower back pain or neck pain in their lifetime. framework of state-of-the-art services for patients in Palm
According to Dr. Patrick Kim, an endoscopic spine “As a surgeon, my role is to distinguish whether surgery is Beach and Martin counties with the expertise and innovation
surgeon at Tampa General, and an assistant professor in the a patient’s best option,” he said. Kim works closely with of a preeminent academic health system. Patients treated by
Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair at the USF the TGH Neuroscience Institute’s team of chiropractors, Tampa General East Coast physicians enjoy several benefits,
Health Morsani College of Medicine at the University of acupuncturists, physical therapists and pain interventionists including access to minimally invasive and complex
South Florida, there are multiple benefits to this technique, to determine the next course of action. “First, we try as many surgeries that utilize state-of-the-art technologies. Tampa
including a nearly zero percent chance of wound infection. nonsurgical treatment options as possible,” he said. “In most General is the primary teaching affiliate of the USF Health
“The end result is smaller incisions, less tissue disruption cases, surgery is usually a last resort.” Morsani College of Medicine and is one of the largest
and quicker patient recovery time after surgery,” he said. “So far we’ve successfully treated athletes, soldiers hospitals in the nation.
Dr. Kim is the first fellowship-trained endoscopic and even patients in their 90s,” said Kim. “Collaborating For more information about the minimally invasive
surgeon in the Tampa region. He received his medical with Tampa General’s anesthesia team, we’ve been able endoscopic spine surgery offered at Tampa General, visit
degree from LSU New Orleans and completed his to perform awake spine surgeries with minimal sedation, TGH.org/MinimallyInvasiveSpineSurgery.
tip of tHe tail

Kidney Insufficiency 4.) Producing renin, which helps control blood to help with quality of life. Some pets will benefit from
pressure; subcutaneous fluids up to several times a week, while
5.) Producing and concentrating urine. others may need fluids less often. Intravenous fluids are
When kidney function begins to decline, waste usually reserved for pets who need more aggressive fluid
products accumulate in the blood, electrolyte imbalances therapy. Some pets with chronic kidney insufficiency
occur, anemia can develop, blood pressure problem may may have blood pressure issues, and these pets may
occur, and urine concentration decreases. benefit from blood pressure medications. Depending on
Clinical signs of chronic kidney insufficiency can the chronicity and severity of kidney insufficiency, pets
be vague and may mimic other diseases. The most can experience anemia. If this occurs, medication may be
common symptoms usually noted are increased thirst needed to help correct the anemia.
and increased urination. Other symptoms may include Chronic kidney insufficiency is a common disease
decreased appetite, vomiting, weight loss, and poor hair in older animals; however, pets can live with a good
coat. These symptoms may be slowly progressive, and, quality of life for many years after diagnosis with proper
if mild, may go unnoticed by a pet owner. Labwork may management. Annual labwork may reveal indications of
reveal abnormalities before obvious clinical signs are chronic kidney insufficiency well before a pet shows
Chronic kidney insufficiency is one of the most evident, which may allow treatment to be initiated sooner clinical signs. Please check with your veterinarian to see
common diseases affecting older pets, especially cats. and provide the best quality of life for the pet. if your pet is due for his or her labwork.
Many causes exist for chronic kidney insufficiency, with Several treatment options can be utilized to help pets Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical
age-related kidney deterioration being one of the more with chronic kidney insufficiency maintain a good quality Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
common causes. Chronic kidney insufficiency indicates of life. Special prescription diets are one of the best main for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
that a condition called azotemia has been present for long-term treatments to help maintain appropriate protein surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
months or years. When azotemia is present, toxins levels and certain electrolyte levels. These diets are medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
have accumulated in the bloodstream, and labwork will available through veterinarians. Another treatment option Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
indicate abnormalities. Approximately 70 percent of is fluid therapy, either subcutaneous fluids or intravenous medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
kidney function must be lost before labwork abnormalities fluids. Subcutaneous fluids, which are placed under a pet’s owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
are noted. Azotemia does not necessarily mean a pet is skin, can be used at home or in the clinic to help maintain www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
experiencing a reduced quality of life. The term uremia hydration; subcutaneous fluids can be utilized long-term Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
means that the patient is azotemic and also demonstrating
clinical signs of kidney disease, which may be reducing
their quality of life. The goal in treatment of chronic
kidney insufficiency is to prevent, postpone, or resolve
uremia, to ensure the pet experiences the best possible
quality of life. Azotemia associated with chronic kidney
insufficiency may not be reversible.
The kidneys perform several important functions:
1.) Filtering waste products, primarily urea and
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