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Clinical Services |
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The Woodward Service of Gastrointestinal Surgery bears the namesake of the first chairman of the UF Department of Surgery, Dr. Edward Woodward, a nationally recognized gastrointestinal surgeon. The division has a rich tradition of performing pancreatic, Bariatric, and intestinal surgery. Today, we continue to provide state-of-the-art care in open and laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgery. In addition to our commitment to rendering the highest quality clinical care, we inculcate our surgical trainees with the principle that the "patient comes first." A portion of our practice is focused on pancreatic surgery for acute and chronic pancreatitis and benign and malignant pancreatic tumors. Laparoscopic pancreatic resection is selectively used to treat benign tumors. In addition, our practice performs a large number of laparoscopic cholecystectomies for gallbladder stone disease, as well as performing a number of operations for other biliary diseases. Dr. Kevin Behrns, chief of general surgery, has published a number of papers on pancreatic diseases and regularly presents his clinical research on pancreatic disease at national meetings. We also have a robust practice in laparoscopic gastroesophageal diseases. We have significant operative expertise in the treatment gastroesophageal reflux, achalasia, paraesophageal hernias, esophageal diverticula, and other diseases of the esophagus. Our laparoscopic expertise extends beyond the treatment of gastroesophageal disease and includes laparoscopic splenectomy and adrenalectomy. Laparoscopic colectomy also is a frequently performed operation. Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery and adjustable gastric banding are performed by Drs. Kfir Ben-David and Juan Cendan in patients that meet criteria for the operation. Both Drs. Juan Cendan and George Sarosi perform clinical research and have created educational programs that are focused on laparoscopic surgery of the upper abdomen. Colorectal surgery for a variety of diseases has been a mainstay of the division. Frequently performed procedures include colorectal resections for cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as the Ileal-pouch anal anastomosis procedure for either ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis. Laparoscopic assisted or complete laparoscopic resection of the colon is performed in select patients. In addition, we have a long history of treating patients with rectal cancer with TEM, or Transanal endoscopic microsurgery, a procedure that removes the local cancer and permits preservation of the anus. Dr. Robert Rout has pioneered this technique and has substantial experience with rectal cancer surgery and sphincter preservation. Surgery for a variety of anal conditions is also performed regularly. Drs. Sanda Tan and Emina Huang, both fellowship-trained colorectal surgeons, recently joined the division, expanding the range of minimally invasive surgeries being offered at Shands at UF. |
