News Release (2006-Q2)

SOUTHERN MARYLAND HOSPITAL
Adds New Image-Guided Technology for ENT 

                SOUTHERN MARYLAND HOSPITAL announced today that it has installed the latest image-guided technology that promises to make many sinus surgeries, safer and more effective.
Infrared optics, 3-D modeling and interactive displays help guide surgeons through safer and more effective sinus surgeries
               
The system combines a virtual 3-D model of the patient’s sinus anatomy with an interactive display of the surgeon’s instruments.  These work in tandem to help surgeons navigate their instruments through complex sinus passages without damaging healthy surrounding tissue.

                “We are very excited to have this new technology,” said Dr. Arnaldo Garro, M.D. at Southern Maryland Hospital. “With it, we improve our ability to work more precisely and resolve problems more completely, which further reduces the risk of complications.”

                Image-guided sinus surgery begins with the patient undergoing a series of CT scans or MRIs that reveal the soft tissue and bony structures of the sinuses and surrounding anatomy.  A computer then builds a virtual 3-D model of this anatomy. During surgery, a computer monitor displays the 3-D model and a live endoscopic view of the patient’s sinus anatomy.  An infrared camera and sensors help track and display the real-time movement and pinpoint the location of the surgical instruments and patient’s anatomy at all times.

                Image-guided technology greatly enhances the surgical services that we offer here at Southern Maryland Hospital,” said Dr. Garro. It increases the surgeon’s confidence in difficult cases and makes for a safer, more thorough surgery for patients.”

                Image-Guidance Technology is increasingly used, there are 261,999 sinus surgeries performed in the United States each year to correct repeated infections (sinusitis), breathing problems resulting from facial trauma, obstructions, congenital abnormalities of polyps, or in cases when previous sinus surgery has altered anatomical landmarks.

 What Are Its Benefits? 

• The surgeon can view surgical instruments in relation to delicate anatomy, such as the optic nerves, blood vessels and brain tissue, which lies just beyond the view of the endoscope.  Moving an instrument even a few millimeters too far could result in blindness, a puncture of the brain or severe bleeding.  This ability to work precisely in this environment reduces the risk of numerous complications.  It also leads to improved patient outcomes.
• Image-Guidance also increases the surgeon’s confidence in difficult cases, especially during revision surgery where a patient’s anatomy has been changed by an earlier operation.

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Dr. Garro was recently recognized with the TUMI USA AWARD in Miami, Florida for his notable contributions to the needed and poor peasants in Perú through  annual  Medical Missions. Dr. Garro is President of AMA PERU  and former President of  the Peruvian American Medical Society.  This prestigious award event was televised in America, Europe and Asia.   ._________________________________________ In addition, Dr Garro has received a recognition from the Peruvian Consulate for his services as a member of the Advisory Board to the Consulate, and from the Southern Maryland Hospital for his contribution to the Cancer Committee.    Further Dr. Garro  has been selected to be included in the  "Guide to America's Top Physicians" by the Consumers' Research Council of America, an independent research company that evaluates professional services throughout America.   Dr. Garro has been invited to write for the prestigious newspaper "El Tiempo Latino", owned by the Washington Post, to keep its readers informed on Health related issues.          Dr. Garro Selected in 580 Top Washington Physicians List Specialists the Doctors Themselves Would Turn to for Medical Help

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