Methodist Healthcare System | Keeping Well | Summer 2019

First General Pediatric Robotic Surgery Performed at Methodist Hospital During a time when kidney disease is becoming more prevalent and the transplant list is growing, the staff at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital (MSTH), a campus of Methodist Hospital, is completing hundreds of successful kidney transplants from live donors each year, making it the largest program in the nation once again. A live donor transplant is the most desirable because these transplants statistically last about five years longer than transplants from deceased donors. Since 2009, MSTH has provided live donor kidney transplants to nearly 1,800 people. Much of MSTH’s success has been possible through the hospital’s world-renowned paired donor exchange program. A paired donor exchange allows living donors who are not able to donate to their intended recipient, due to a variety of incompatibility reasons, another avenue for donation. Those living donors and their recipients are submitted into a pool of other incompatible pairs and are then matched with another donor and recipient with better compatibility. The MSTH program routinely Red Dress 5 K Fun Run Helps Community Fight Heart Disease The advantages of robotic surgery became available to more patients when the first general pediatric robotic surgery procedure was re- cently performed at Methodist Hospital. Dr. Michael Megison performed the procedure to re- move a cyst from the esophagus of 9-year-old Isabella Serna. completes large paired exchanges and is responsible for the world’s largest exchange—46 total surgeries, or 23 ex- changes, during a three-day period. All of these surgeries were completed within the hospital’s walls in the South Texas Medical Center. “We want to educate as many people as possible about this transplant option and about our extensive experience with paired exchange,” said Adam Bingaman, M.D., PhD, transplant surgeon and program director. “The more pairs we have, the more recipients will receive the kidneys they desperately need.” The advantages of robotic surgery became available to more patients when the first general pediatric robotic surgery procedure was recently performed at Methodist Hospital. Dr. Michael Megison performed the procedure to remove a cyst from the esophagus of a 9-year-old girl. “Cysts can get bigger and cause a mass effect problem in the area,” he said. “For this patient, the surgery was preventative.” The procedure brings the benefits of robotic surgery to a broader range of patients. It is especially important for children to have this option because complex pediatric surgical cases often require intricate dissection. In robotic surgery, surgeons use a computer-controlled robot to assist them in certain surgical procedures. The robot’s “hands” have a high degree of dexterity, allowing surgeons the ability to operate in very tight spaces in the body. The optics that are part of the system give the surgeon greater visualization and precision. Benefits of robotic surgery include a smaller incision, greater visualization, quicker recovery time and decreased risk of infection. “Dr. Megison explained to us the surgical options for removing the cyst,” said Mandy Serna, whose daughter Isabella underwent the surgery. “Prevention was impor- tant to us, and the surgery went smoothly. Now Isabella is the healthiest kid on the planet. She enjoys running and being active.” Methodist Stone Oak Hospital raised more than $20,000 for the American Heart Association through its Red Dress 5K Fun Run and Walk, held in February on the hospital campus. A popular Heart Month event, it gives the community a fun way to fight heart dis- ease and remember loved ones affected by the disease. Participants are encouraged to wear red or their fa- vorite red dress. “Our event is unique and lots of fun,” said Marc Strode, CEO of Methodist Stone Oak Hospital. “But most of all, it is for a great cause. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States. Not only does our event provide a way to honor those affected by heart disease, it also encourages participants to make heart- healthy changes in their lives. Through events like this and continued outreach, the strong partnership that we have with the American Heart Association is help- ing the people of our community lead healthier lives.” Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital Again Recognized for Completing theMost LivingDonor Kidney Transplants in the United States Throughout April, Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital committed to raising awareness about the gift of organ and tissue donation. A living donor is an option for the 114,000 men, women and children awaiting lifesaving organ transplants nation- ally, including 82 percent who need a kidney. Roughly 8,000 deaths occur every year because organs aren’t donated in time. Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital invites you to register to become an organ, eye and tissue donor by visiting methodistdonatelife.com . 6 S U M M E R 2 0 1 9 K E E P I N G W E L L M e t h o d i s t H e a l t h c a r e