Cutting-edge medicine: Innovations in Philadelphia
By Jay Nachman
Philadelphia is the home of top-ranked hospitals, universities and medical facilities in the United States, making it a hub for advanced medical treatment and innovation. Here are some of the innovative treatments that Philadelphia hospitals are now providing to patients.
Minimally invasive cancer treatment
Gastrointestinal cancers, including esophageal, gastric, colon and rectal cancer, are leading causes of cancer around the world, and the risk increases with age. Traditionally, surgery is used to remove large tumors in the gastrointestinal tract.
Innovations in endoscopy, a procedure that uses a scope to examine or treat internal organs, now allow for the removal of these tumors and early cancers by a technique called endoscopic submucosal dissection. According to Dr. Galen Leung, assistant professor of gastroenterology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, this is a minimally invasive, organ-preserving procedure performed in an outpatient setting.
During an upper endoscopy or colonoscopy, a small electrosurgical knife inserted through the scope is used to precisely remove the lesion from the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, the patient can be cured of the tumor or cancer without the need for invasive surgery or external incisions. Afterwards, the patient may be discharged home or observed for one overnight hospital stay.
Trial provides hope for COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. People over age 65 are at higher risk of developing the disease. There is no cure, but treatments can help control symptoms and improve quality of life.
Endobronchial valves are a popular, minimally invasive treatment for COPD. But for patients with openings in the walls between lung lobes, the treatment is not effective.
The Temple Lung Center is enrolling patients in a new clinical trial testing a procedure to fix these naturally occurring openings in the lung by closing them up with foam. According to Dr. Gerard J. Criner, director of the Temple Lung Center, the trial will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the investigational AeriSeal System to close those openings, allowing more people who suffer from COPD to receive treatment with valves in the bronchial tube(s).
Treatment for calcified arteries
Coronary artery disease remains the number one killer in our country, and its prevalence increases with age. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), which uses balloons and stents to open obstructed coronary arteries without surgery, can be a lifesaver in patients with heart attacks.
However, older patients are prone to have more calcified arteries, and calcium is a major risk factor for complications during PCI. Traditional approaches to removing calcium utilize a rotary tool studded with tiny diamond chips to sand away superficial calcified plaque.
According to Dr. Michael P. Savage, professor of cardiology at Jefferson Health, “ingenious biomedical engineering” has created new tools for calcium removal. Now, using technology for treating kidney stones, lithotripsy balloons placed inside the coronary artery emit ultrasonic pressure waves to break up hard calcium deposits. Recently, specialized balloons have become available that are capable of exerting over 500 PSI without bursting. That’s more than 15 times the pressure in car tires. With these technological advances, PCI can be more often offered as an alternative to open-heart bypass surgery for complex, high-risk coronary artery disease patients.
Transforming shoulder surgery
Recent advancements in shoulder surgery for people over 65 focus on minimizing recovery time and improving outcomes, according to Dr. Leslie A. Barnes, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery and Sports medicine at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University.
One significant development is the expanded use of arthroscopic techniques. This minimally invasive approach uses small incisions and a camera to guide the surgery, reducing pain and speeding up recovery compared to traditional open surgery.
Advances in 3D imaging and pre-operative planning software are also transforming shoulder replacement surgeries. These technologies provide detailed views of the shoulder joint, allowing for more precise planning and implementation of procedures, which is crucial for the complex anatomy often seen in older adults.
Finally, implants tailored to individual anatomy are becoming more common. These implants are designed to fit the unique structure of the patient’s shoulder, improving function and longevity of the surgical results. Overall, these technologies are making shoulder surgeries safer and more effective for older adults, enhancing both recovery and long-term outcomes.
These are just a few of the cutting-edge advancements in medicine that are helping to increase longevity and improve quality of life for older adults.
Jay Nachman is a freelance writer in Philadelphia who tells stories for a variety of clients.
