Most Common Procedures

Our group specializes in complex repair and treatment of inguinal or groin hernias, ventral or incisional hernias, chronic groin pain, and revision hernia repairs. Please visit the tab labeled Hernia Surgery for more details.

A cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. Historically this procedure used to be performed with a large incision in the upper part of your abdomen. Currently it is most commonly performed at our practice using laparoscopic minimally invasively techniques. The procedure can also be performed robotically in some circumstances, which has the same benefits of laparoscopic surgery such as early discharge, tiny scars, and faster return to work. These surgeries, once necessitating a hospital stay, are now relatively short outpatient procedures.

This surgery entails removal by surgery of the appendix, the small worm-like appendage of the colon (the large bowel). It is unclear what the purpose of this organ is, but speculation suggests that it has a role in replenishing intestinal bacteria. However, similar to a gallbladder, people can live perfectly normal lives without their appendix. An appendectomy is typically performed because of appendicitis, inflammation of the wall of the appendix generally associated with infection. It is also performed due to masses or growths in the appendix as well. There are several approaches to performing an appendectomy, however minimally invasively is our preferred approach using 2-3 small incisions and tiny instruments. This technique allows for faster discharge from the hospital and faster return to work. Please discuss your specific individual options with Dr. Dupree at the time of consultation.

Tumors, Lesions, and Cysts are not always serious conditions, however the possibility of these masses being potentially dangerous always exists. A detailed physical examination, diagnostic studies, biopsy, and possible removal are options that should be discussed with your surgeon at a professional private consultation. Removal of these lesions are almost universally same-day procedures with extremely rapid recovery, typically without the use of general anesthesia.

A colectomy is an operation that removes all or part of the colon (large intestine). This may need to be performed for many reasons including inflammatory bowel disease, cancer of the colon, diverticulitis, polpys of the colon, or even in cases of severe motility disorders. Total or partial colectomy can be performed minimally invasively with either laparoscopic or robotic instruments, with only a short stay in the hospital. In extreme cases of diverticulitis, a partial connection with the skin may need to be performed in order to let the inflammation heal, which would be reconnected after several months.

Abdominal adhesions are bands of scar tissue that form between abdominal tissues and organs, causing them to stick together. These can form from any previous surgery, even those with small incisions, although they are extremely common after larger open incisions for surgeries. Typical symptoms caused by abdominal adhesions include crampy abdominal discomfort followed by distention of the abdomen. Symptoms may become intense when the scar tissue causes obstruction of the bowel. In cases of extreme discomfort, an emergency department visit and surgical consultation may be necessary. For those with chronic pain from adhesions, surgical lysis of scar tissue can be an option. This can be performed with small incisions, even in those patients with scar tissue from massive previous incisions.

Abscesses, or collections of pus can be formed for any number of reasons. The most common reason is that a superficial skin infection, or cellulitis, worsened to form an underlying abscess. Antibiotics can only penetrate abscesses so much, and the recommended treatment is an incision and drainage of the abscess. In some instances, this can even be performed by our surgeons in the office. In more complex circumstances, this may need to be performed in an operating room.

Some patients with cancers may require chemotherapy, which most of the time needs access via an infusion port. Our surgeons are adept at placing these ports as outpatient surgerys, with access able to be obtained even the day or surgery. Please consult with our surgeons for port placement once your oncology approves chemotherapy. Ports may also need to be placed for other conditions, such as outpatient infusions of medications or IV nutrition.

We also offer additional procedures such as: