Services

Surgical Services

A commitment to physician skill combined with advanced technology makes the PRH Surgery Department a leader in the Seacoast region. From admission to discharge, our goal is to make your stay as comfortable as possible, with the best results possible.

With 56 Board Certified surgeons in over a dozen specialties, we perform about 15,000 operations each year, approximately 83 percent on an outpatient ("day surgery") basis. PRH surgical specialties include cardiac surgery, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, cosmetic surgery, ear, nose and throat, gynecology, breast surgery, laparoscopic surgery, oral surgery, ophthalmology, podiatry, thoracic surgery, urology, vascular surgery, bariatric surgery and general surgery.

Demonstrated Leadership

At Portsmouth Regional Hospital, our leadership is defined by remarkable advances in surgical technique and technology.

Portsmouth Regional Hospital "firsts" include:

• First and only cardiac surgery program  in the Seacoast
• First in NH to offer image-guided stereotactic neurosurgery
• First in the Seacoast to do sentinel node biopsy in breast cancer diagnosis, and the first to do stereotactic breast biopsy
• One of the first six hospitals in the nation to do computer image-guided endoscopic ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgery
• One of the only New Hampshire hospitals that uses Argon Laser technology for middle ear surgery
• First and only laparoscopic bariatric surgery (surgical weight loss) program in the Seacoast.  The program is accredited by the American College of Surgeons and is recognized as a Blue Center of Distinction(sm) by Blue Cross Blue Shield of new Hampshire.

Other advanced technologies available at Portsmouth Regional Hospital include:

• Varicose vein surgery using ultrasound-guided VNUS Closure system

In addition, Portsmouth Regional Hospital surgeons have pioneered techniques for:

• Gall bladder, spleen, and kidney removal using laparoscopic surgery
• Autologous blood transfusions using the patient's own blood
• Use of post-operative epidural anesthesia in joint replacement surgery
• Surgical intervention for diabetics to reduce foot pain

Please click here to learn more about our surgical specialties and patient services:

Anesthesia
Bariatric Surgery
Cardiac Surgery Program
Endoscopy Unit
Laparoscopic Surgery
Neurosurgery
Orthopedic Surgery
Patient Care
Pediatric Surgery
Plastic Surgery
Sinus Surgery
Thoracic Surgery

If you are scheduled for surgery at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, please visit our Admissions, Inpatient Care, and Preparing for Surgery pages. To learn more about the 72 surgeons on our medical staff, please visit the Doctors section of this Web site

Anesthesia Resources

• We were first in the Seacoast to guarantee the availability of round-the-clock 24/7 epidurals for maternity patients.
• We were first in New England to offer the latest technology in instrumentation and monitoring. Even before the Boston hospitals, we invested in Pulse Oximetry and End Tidal Capnometry — technologies that significantly improve patient safety.
• Pioneering advances in pain management, we introduced the use of post-surgery epidurals in joint replacement and general surgery to speed recovery and reduce complications.
• TEE (Tran Esophageal Echocardiography is an ultrasound of the heart performed during surgery. We’re the only Seacoast hospital with fellowship-trained cardiac anesthesiologists, and the only one to offer TEE.
• Our Pediatric Anesthesia Program understands the special needs of parents and children having surgery. We were first in the Seacoast to invite a parent to accompany a child into the Operating Room until the child falls asleep. Click here to learn more about our pediatric anesthesia program.

Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric surgery, by gastric bypass or lap band, promotes weight loss by restricting food intake. It can improve the health and quality of life for people who are severely obese and cannot lose weight by traditional means. It is important to learn all the facts about Bariatric surgery. The Bariatric team at Portsmouth Regional Hospital consists of specially trained advanced laparoscopic surgeons: John P. Gens, MD, Kevin G. Looser, MD, and Cynthia Paciulli, MD, dieticians, physical therapists, and behavioral health experts, as well as representatives from other medical specialties.  

To learn more about this surgery and to help you decide if this procedure is right for you, we suggest a review of our Guide to Bariatric Surgery. Public sessions are held periodically at the hospital so patients can learn more about the risks of obesity, hear detailed descriptions about the surgery, and meet the surgeons and members of the bariatric team. Bariatric Surgery Support Groups are held on a monthly basis

Cardiac Surgery Program

For extensive information about our Cardiac Surgery Program, please visit the Heart & Lung Center page of this Web site.

Endoscopy Unit

Located adjacent to the operating room is PRH's Endoscopy Unit, a recently expanded area providing physicians with the capability for visually examining the entire length of the digestive tract, from the esophagus and stomach to the rectum and colon. In an endoscopic procedure, a flexible fiberoptic instrument called an endoscope enables the physician to look at the gastrointestinal tract, photograph it, and even take biopsy samples with a tiny forceps.

Laparoscopic Surgery

With laparoscopic (small-incision) surgery, patients experience less pain, shorter hospitalization and reduced recovery time than with conventional, open-incision surgery.

More than thirty percent of surgical procedures at Portsmouth Regional Hospital are performed as laparoscopic surgery, using endoscopic instruments that enable the surgeon to operate on internal organs through several half-inch incisions instead of large, open-wound incisions. Laparoscopic surgery is often referred to as "keyhole" or "Band-Aid" surgery because the required incisions are so small. Depending on the individual, patients often go home the same or next day, and return to work within two to three days.

Our laparoscopic technologies include the latest in fiber optic instrumentation and other special equipment, making minimally-invasive procedures ideal for many patients who need appendectomies, gynecological surgery, gall bladder operations, anti-reflux surgery and orthopedic surgery.We have applied laparoscopic techniques to gastric bypass for obesity and to surgery on the gastrointestinal tract, spleen, adrenal gland and all types of hernias. Laparoscopic advances at Portsmouth Regional Hospital include a remarkable new procedure to remove diseased kidneys.

In no area have laparoscopic techniques had a greater impact than on cancer surgery. The hospital's skilled surgeons apply this small-incision approach to many cancers of the kidney, colon, head and neck, pancreas, lung and other organs.

Sinus surgery has likewise been revolutionized by endoscopic techniques. Portsmouth Regional Hospital's ear nose and throat surgeons were among the first in the nation to introduce the remarkable new image-guided stereotactic system.

With each new advance in laparoscopic technology and expertise, patients benefit dramatically.  Smaller incisions mean less discomfort, faster healing, smaller scars, fewer complications and better overall results.

Neurosurgery

Portsmouth's medical staff includes four outstanding Board Certified neurosurgeons, who work closely with our four Board Certified neurologists to diagnose and treat diseases and conditions of the brain, spinal column and nervous system. Please visit our Neurosurgery page to learn about our advanced capabilities.

Orthopedic Surgery

Orthopedic surgery is one of our largest surgical specialties at Portsmouth Regional Hospital. Our nine Board Certified orthopedic surgeons use both medical and surgical approaches to treat the full range of musculoskeletal injuries in adults and children. A strong sports medicine program works closely with injured athletes to help them return to activity as quickly - and safely - as possible. Laparoscopic arthroscopic procedures for injured knees and joint replacement surgery for knee and hip problems are PRH strengths. Our orthopedic surgery program has long served as a training site for foreign surgeons learning to perform knee replacement surgery.

In the past decade, we have made major advances to achieve outstanding outcomes in total joint replacement. Our integrated team approach begins with the Rehabilitation Services staff teaching patients (before their surgery) the exercises they will need after their operation. After surgery, epidural anesthesia is often continued until the day after the operation. With the pain control this provides, patients can have a continuous passive motion machine begin exercising the new joint immediately after the surgery is completed.

With aggressive physical therapy, joint replacement patients are discharged sooner than ever before. Even patients having both knees replaced are often discharged directly home without the rehabilitation hospital stays that were often required in the past.

Patient Care

Our goal at Portsmouth Regional Hospital is to make your stay as short and comfortable as possible. Our streamlined process allows you to be cared for from admission through discharge within our Department. We emphasize patient information, education and communication both before and after your surgery. We invite you to visit our Preparing for Surgery page for more detailed information.

Pediatric Surgery

At Portsmouth Regional Hospital, we understand that surgery can be a scary thing for both children and their parents. Our pediatric surgery program is staffed by people who love working with children and are highly trained to meet their special needs. Our procedures are designed to minimize potential anxiety and discomfort, while keeping parents reassuringly involved and close-by. Parents who wish may stay with their child until the child is asleep from anesthesia. To help you and your child prepare for this experience, we offer a special booklet entitled "Prepare Your Child for Surgery." This information is also available in the Information section of this Web site.

Plastic Surgery

An expert staff of three Board Certified surgeons provides comprehensive plastic, cosmetic, reconstructive and hand surgery. Our popular cosmetic surgery program offers a full range of aesthetic procedures, from eyelid tucks to traditional face-lifts to laser skin resurfacing - in a discreet and comfortable setting.

Sinus Surgery

Countless Americans suffer from chronic sinus infections. Oral medications can help, although the respite is typically short-lived. Now, thanks to stereotactic, computer image-guided endoscopic sinus surgery, safe, long-term relief is possible.

Portsmouth was one of the first hospitals in the nation to offer this minimally invasive treatment. With over 1,000 procedures completed since 1997, the Hospital's ENT team is the most experienced in northern New England.

Thanks to this minimally invasive approach, about 80 percent of patients enjoy total resolution of their problems, and the remainder are able to significantly reduce their use of medications. Moreover, the technique is far more precise, safe and thorough than older surgical methods, and it significantly reduces discomfort. Patients typically go home around two hours after their surgery, and most are able to resume normal activities within a few days.

This procedure is performed through a surgical endoscope, or telescope, under the guidance of a "global positioning system for the head" that shows surgeons exactly where they are within the sinuses.