Page 7 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - November '24

Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 7
TGH First In Tampa

Region Offering Same-Day Spinal Surgery

Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is the first health system less tissue disruption and degenerative cervical and lumbar conditions, and complex
in the Tampa region to treat a range of spine diseases and quicker patient recovery spinal deformities.
conditions via minimally invasive endoscopic spine time after surgery,” he said. How do you know if you’re a candidate for spine
surgery. Patients at the academic health system’s TGH Dr. Kim is the first surgery? Kim said that 80 percent of the U.S. adult
Neuroscience Institute experience same-day discharge, fellow ship-trained population experiences lower back pain or neck pain in
quicker recovery, minimal downtime and less pain. endoscopic surgeon in their lifetime. “As a surgeon, my role is to distinguish
The procedure involves the surgeon inserting the the Tampa region. He whether surgery is a patient’s best option,” he said. Kim
endoscope through a tiny incision about the size of a received his medical works closely with the TGH Neuroscience Institute’s
pencil tip to access an affected area, such as a herniated degree from LSU New team of chiropractors, acupuncturists, physical therapists
disc. The device is then guided to the spine to capture Orleans and completed his and pain interventionists to determine the next course
video that’s projected onto a monitor. The surgeon can residency at the University of action. “First, we try as many nonsurgical treatment
also insert miniature tools through the endoscope to help of Mississippi Medical options as possible,” he said. “In most cases, surgery is
perform procedures to treat bone spurs, chronic pain, Center. Subsequently, he Dr. Patrick Kim usually a last resort.”
degenerative disc disease, facet joint syndrome, herniated pursued a fellowship in “So far we’ve successfully treated athletes, soldiers
discs, sciatic nerve compression and spinal stenosis. endoscopic spine surgery at the University of Washington and even patients in their 90s,” said Kim. “Collaborating
According to Dr. Patrick Kim, an endoscopic spine Harborview Medical Center. “I’ve witnessed the with Tampa General’s anesthesia team, we’ve been able
surgeon at Tampa General, and an assistant professor progression from traditional open surgery to minimally to perform awake spine surgeries with minimal sedation,
in the Department of Neurosurgery and Brain Repair invasive spine surgery,” he said. “The endoscopic spine similar to colonoscopies. This is a game-changer for
at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine at the surgery represents the pinnacle of that progression.” patients usually deemed too sick for general anesthesia.”
University of South Florida, there are multiple benefits Tampa General’s Spine Neurosurgery Program Kim notes that patients with ruptured discs typically
to this technique, including a nearly zero percent chance leverages a multidisciplinary team of physicians recover the same day, whereas those with more chronic
of wound infection. “The end result is smaller incisions, who specialize in the treatment and management of illnesses recover in the span of a few days up to a week.
TGH Neuroscience Institute surgeons perform more
minimally invasive spine surgeries than any other hospital
Understanding Moody Teenagers in the region, including endoscopic laser spine surgeries,
microdiscectomies, laminectomies, foraminotomies and
lumbar fusions.
By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., down at him from the 30,000-foot view he had a good Tampa General is ranked by U.S. News & World Report
Licensed School life. He had an intact family, a cell phone, nice place 2024/25 as a high performing hospital for neurology
Psychologist to live, and he was doing well in school. She thought, and neurosurgery, meaning the academic health system
“My teen son has “What is there to be depressed about?” Testing is among the top 10 percent of hospitals in the nation.
a hard time showing revealed he had very strong feelings of inadequacy Additionally, the TGH Neuroscience Institute is one of the
emotions, has a hard time and was struggling with his identity. He believed he top neurology and spine programs in the U.S., according
to make friendships, has was not in control of his outcomes so, “Why should to Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2023 list of “Hospitals and
a hard time to feel happy he try?” Health Systems with Spine and Neuroscience Programs
and contented, has a It took mom a while to get dad to recognize the to Know.”
hard time to do activities struggle but after our results review meeting he Since 2020, Tampa General has been creating a
that he considers useless understood additional support was needed. Dad framework of state-of-the-art services for patients in
or are mentally or actually initiated the conversation with his teen by Palm Beach and Martin counties with the expertise and
physically demanding. Help me figure out what is saying, “I feel that our relationship is strained. It may innovation of a preeminent academic health system.
wrong with him!” not bother you but it bothers me and if you would, Patients treated by Tampa General East Coast physicians
It’s not uncommon for teenagers to be moody since I’d like you to meet with a counselor. I will as well enjoy several benefits, including access to minimally
they are a ball of changing hormones, have variable because I need some help knowing how to help you invasive and complex surgeries that utilize state-of-the-
sleep patterns, and are vying for independence. All this and our family.” The teen agreed to dad’s request. art technologies. Tampa General is the primary teaching
occurs while your teen is dealing with the pressures of School neuropsychological testing was the process affiliate of the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
school, social media, and exposure to drugs and porn. which provided answers. Call (561) 625-4125 if and is one of the largest hospitals in the nation.
As the mom wrote, her teen was withdrawn and his you are concerned about your child and would like For more information about the minimally invasive
behavior had changed within the past few months. Prior understanding. Testing is completed in one day and endoscopic spine surgery offered at Tampa General, visit
to this he was a happier person and a decent student. we test children through young adults for autism, TGH.org/MinimallyInvasiveSpineSurgery.
Our testing revealed this teen was depressed. Mom dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety, and depression. Our website
had wondered if he was depressed but thought looking is JimForgan.com.

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