New Surgical Technique Saves Lives at Dell Seton

Digestive Health, a collaborative effort between Ascension Seton and UT Health Austin, recently became the first in Central Texas to offer Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD). This minimally invasive procedure represents a major advancement in the management of GI tract conditions.

ESD allows for the precise removal of precancerous and cancerous tissue from the GI tract using a flexible endoscope. Unlike traditional methods that are limited to surface-level interventions, ESD enables the removal of larger and deeper lesions that were previously only accessible through surgical means. This technique can also be employed to stage early cancers, rule out malignancy in suspicious growths, and treat certain benign polyps.

Dr. David Tang recently utilized this new technique to entirely remove a cancerous tumor from a patient’s esophagus. The new technique is much less invasive and much more effective – resulting in a quicker discharge and recovery for the patient, plus a more positive long-term outlook.

Published: December 17th, 2024