HJNO May/Jun 2019

Healthcare Journal of NEW ORLEANS I  MAY / JUN 2019 63 For weekly eNews updates and to read the journal online, visit HealthcareJournalNO.com MD, performed the hospital’s first sacroiliac joint fusion surgery using theminimally invasive iFuse Implant System® - a procedure for patients with unresolved lowback symptoms related to the sac- roiliac joint, which connects the sacrum, the tri- angular bone at the bottomof the spine, with the pelvis iliac crest. According to published literature, up to 30 per- cent of all lower back symptoms are sacroiliac joint in origin, 1  but is usually not included when diagnosing lower back pain.This joint can become damaged through injury,or fromnormal wear and tear over time. When such damage happens, it can cause significant discomfort from the lower back down to the lower buttock region and the upper leg. This discomfort can lead to debilita- tion and one’s quality-of-life may greatly suffer. “In one out of four patients, sacroiliac joint dys- function is considered to be themain cause of low back pain,”said Denis.“Minimally invasive sacro- iliac joint fusion has become a prominent treat- ment modality for sacroiliac joint dysfunction, offering long-term relief whenmore conservative measures have failed.”  The iFuse procedure is designed to offer amin- imally invasive solution for patients who are no longer responding satisfactorily to conserva- tive care and the prospect of a traditional open surgery is not desirable. The procedure takes about an hour and involves three small titanium implants inserted surgically across the sacroiliac joint. The entire process is done through a small incision, with no soft tissue stripping and mini- mal tendon irritation. Patients typically leave the hospital the next day after surgery and can usu- ally resume daily living activities within six weeks, symptoms associated with BPH,” said Larsen. “Patients are experiencing rapid symptom relief and are often able to discontinue the use of ongo- ing BPH medications. It won’t be long before the UroLift® System becomes the new standard of care for treating patients.” Nearly 40 million men in the United States are affected by BPH.Not to be confusedwith prostate cancer, BPH occurs when the prostate gland that surrounds the male urethra becomes enlarged with advancing age and begins to obstruct the urinary system. Symptoms of BPH often include interrupted sleep and urinary problems, and can cause loss of productivity, depression, and decreased quality of life. Five-year data froma randomized study shows the UroLift® Systemoffers not only rapid improve- ment,but also durable relief for patients with BPH. After five years, patients treated with the Uro- Lift® System continue to experience symptom relief with minimal side effects, with few patients requiring an additional procedure for relief.Asec- ond randomized clinical trial called BPH6 demon- strated that the minimally invasive UroLift® Sys- temcompares very well to the reference standard surgery, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), with regard to efficacy, and is superior to TURP at preserving sexual function and offering a more rapid recovery.[ii] Medication is often the first-line therapy for enlarged prostate, but relief can be inadequate and temporary. Side effects of medication treat- ment can include sexual dysfunction, dizziness, and headaches, promptingmany patients to quit using the drugs. For these patients, the classic alternative is surgery that cuts, heats, or removes prostate tissue to open the blocked urethra.While current surgical options can be very effective in relieving symptoms, they can also leave patients with permanent side effects such as urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and retro- grade ejaculation. Daniel Denis, MD, Performs Ochsner’s First Sacroiliac Joint Fusion with the iFuse Implant System® Ochsner Medical Center- Jefferson High- way announced that neurosurgeon Daniel Denis, teen caretakers. The program follows American Heart Association standards for rescue skills and instruction in first aid techniques from the Ameri- can Academy of Pediatrics. The nationally-recognized program was devel- oped by pediatrician Dr. Patricia Keener after a colleague’s toddler choked to death while in the care of an adult sitter who didn’t knowwhat to do. Students who complete a Safe Sitter® course gain confidence and learn how, why, and where inju- ries can happen so they can be prevented. They are taught infant and child choking rescue and CPR.They also learn how a child’s age affects the care they receive, how to prevent problembehav- ior, how to run their own babysitting business, and issues in online and cellphone safety. Students who graduate from a Safe Sitter® course receive a completion card that demon- strates they know how to use their skills in situa- tions they encounter. Ochsner Physician Receives UroLift®Center of Excellence Designation Gregory Larsen, MD – a urologist with Ochsner Baptist –ACampus of Ochsner Medical Center – has received the UroLift® Center of Excellence designation. The designation recognizes that Larsen has achieved a high level of training and experience with the UroLift® Systemand demon- strated a commitment to exemplary care for men suffering fromsymptoms associated with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). “The UroLift System has fundamentally changed how I treat men inmy practice who have Gregory Larsen, MD Daniel Denis, MD