Outpatient Surgical Procedures

Approximately 75% of surgical procedures at Columbus Regional Hospital are performed on an outpatient basis. Commonly performed outpatient surgery procedures performed at Columbus Regional Hospital include the following:

ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat)
Tonsils and Adenoids
Ear Tubes (Tympanostomy)
Eardrum Repair (Tympanoplasty)
Sinus Surgery (FESS)

Eye Procedures
Cataract Surgery
Eye Laser Surgery

GI (Gastrointestinal Procedures)
Colonoscopy
Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD)

Gynecological Procedures
Uterine Balloon Therapy
Dilation and Curettage (D & C)
Hysteroscopy
Laparaoscopy
Breast Biopsy

Kidney / Bladder Procedures
Cystoscopy
Lithotripsy

Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder)
Hernia

ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat)
Tonsils & Adenoids: Surgical removal of tonsils and adenoids is usually performed after repeated infections. Patients are typically in the hospital for 23 hours or less following the procedure.

Ear Tubes: A surgical procedure called tympanostomy is used to place tubes through the tympanic membrane of the ear to allow ventilation of the middle ear as part of treatment for ear infections. This is a common procedure performed on children. Total time spent at the hospital is between 1 - 1 ½ hours.

Eardrum Repair: Tympanoplasty is the surgical procedure used to repair or restore the eardrum to improve hearing and or to cure chronic ear infections that have led to hearing loss. Patients are typically in the hospital for 23 hours following the procedure.

Sinus Surgery: FESS or functional endoscopic sinus surgery is used to treat chronic sinus infections that occur because of polyps, enlarged turbinates, deviated septum or allergies. The surgery removes polyps, diseased tissue and allows drainage and ventilation. Most patients are discharged from the hospital within 23 hours or less after surgery.

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Eye Procedures
Cataract Surgery: Cataract surgery removes the opaque lens (cataract) and restores vision by implanting an artificial intraocular lens into the eye. The procedure takes from 20 - 45 minutes and patients usually are discharged 30 minutes after surgery.

Eye Laser Surgery: Eye laser is used to correct vision problems or care for diseases of the eye such as glaucoma. The Argon and Yag lasers are used for this surgery which takes about 15 minutes. Patients are then released within 30 minutes following surgery.

GI (Gastrointestinal Procedures)
Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is used to aid in the diagnosis of diseases of the colon and to check for polyps and tumors. The procedure is done in the Endoscopy Lab where the patient is usually under sedation. A physician inserts a colonoscope, a tube-like instrument with a light on the end, into the colon. Patients are usually in the outpatient surgery area for three - four hours then discharged to home.

Esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD): An EGD is used to diagnosis diseases of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum, such as ulcers and gastritis. The procedure is done in the Endoscopy Lab where the patient is usually under sedation. A physician inserts a gastroscope, a tube-like instrument with a light on the end, through the patient's mouth down through the esophagus and into the stomach and duodenum. Patients are usually in the outpatient surgery department for three - four hours then discharged to home.

Gynecological Procedures
Uterine Balloon Therapy: is used to treat women who suffer from excessive menstrual bleeding. The procedure uses heat to remove the lining of the uterus. This therapy is appropriate for women who are no longer planning to give birth. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes and is done under general anesthesia. Patients are usually discharged within two hours.

Dilation and Curettage (D & C): D & C is used to remove endometrium tissue from the uterus for either diagnostic or therapeutic conditions. The procedure takes approximately 15 minutes and is done under either general or regional anesthesia. Patients are usually discharged within 2 - 2 ½ hours.

Hysteroscopy: An endoscope is used to aid in the diagnosis of intrauterine abnormalities by examining the uterine cavity and tubal orifices. Most hysteroscopies are done under general anesthesia due to patient preference.

Laparoscopy: An endoscope is used to aid in the diagnosis or prescription of treatment for problems of the lower abdomen and pelvis.

Breast Biopsy: A breast biopsy is used to remove breast tissue for the diagnosis of benign or malignant disease. At times, a needle localization is performed under X-ray to assure the suspicious breast tissue is located and removed.

Kidney/Bladder Procedures
Cystoscopy: A cystoscopy examines the inside of the bladder and associated structures. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia or mild sedation. Patients usually leave the hospital a couple of hours following surgery.

Lithotripsy: Lithotripsy is used to disintegrate stones in the urinary tract. Typically a stent is placed in the ureter to hold the stone in place until the patient is placed in a water bath where "shock waves" pulverize the stone. Most patients are discharged three - four hours after surgery.

Urinary Incontinence: Most surgical procedures to correct urinary incontinence combine a vaginal incision with a very small incision over the low abdomen. General anesthesia is usually used. Some patients require a catheter for several days until urethral function returns. Catheter cares can be done at home, allowing for a short hospital stay of 24 - 48 hours.

Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder): This surgery is one of the most common procedures performed. Several small abdominal incisions allow the surgeon to visualize and remove the gallbladder. After surgery, patients recover for four - five hours before discharge.

Hernia: Hernias present in several forms; inguinal, ventral and umbilical. Repair is done to strengthen the abdominal muscle wall that has weakened to allow the hernia to occur. These procedures are performed under local or general anesthesia and may or may not be done on an outpatient basis.