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Harlingen, TX -- Dr. Ashraf Hilmy, General, Vascular and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon, has performed the first laparoscopic surgery at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen to remove a dangerous type of adrenal tumor, with the less-invasive procedure benefitting a Valley woman by speeding her healing time and reducing bleeding and scarring. The first “laparoscopy adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma” surgery went very well for the patient, a Hispanic woman in her 50’s, Dr. Hilmy said. “This is the first surgery in the Harlingen area of its type performed laparoscopically as far as I know,” Dr. Hilmy said. “Adrenal tumors are extremely rare – this is the first time that I’ve seen a pheochromocytoma tumor here.” While adrenal tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or cancerous, most of the rare “pheochromocytoma” tumors are not cancerous. These tumors occur in the core of the adrenal glands, which are located close to the kidneys. The adrenal glands produce hormones which help regulate metabolism, hair growth, and many other functions in the body. But a pheochromocytoma tumor can cause the adrenal glands to produce too much of the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, which can cause high blood pressure and a very rapid heartbeat. This can be very dangerous to the heart – and even life-threatening if not treated and removed surgically. During the laparoscopy adrenalectomy surgery, physicians make a small cut in the back or side, and insert a scope – a miniature camera attached to a thin, flexible tube. Surgeons then take out the tumor through small incisions. Because Dr. Hilmy used the innovative laparoscopic technique instead of traditional surgery through the chest or abdomen, there was no need for large incisions in the patient. This meant less pain and blood loss for her – and a shorter stay in the hospital. Dr. Alfredo Garcia, Endocrinologist and Medical Director of the Valley Baptist Diabetes Education Center; Dr. Joel Pallapati of Su Clinica Familiar; and Dr. Niru Cepeda-Iruegas participated in caring for the patient before and after her surgery at Valley Baptist. In addition to laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Hilmy has also used other non-invasive surgical techniques, including the da Vinci® robot at Valley Baptist-Harlingen, for general surgeries. For more information on minimally-invasive surgery options, consult your physician and visit www.ValleyBaptist.net.
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