SEATTLE — Surgical experts at Providence Swedish are currently performing lifesaving procedures that simply would not have been possible years ago.
One of these is Histotripsy. Swedish First Hill was the first hospital on the West Coast to offer this treatment to people with liver cancer. This FDA-approved technology uses ultrasonic waves to destroy cancer cells with bubble clouds. It does not require an incision, has no side effects and requires minimal recovery time.
“You can think about the booth we climb in with cash,” said M. Trevor Bennett, associate vice president of acute care operations and executive director of surgical and interventional services at Providence Swedish’s Central Puget Sound region. “This creates that excitement of the cells where the cash flies up. We’re able to grab those cells and squish them dead.”
This gamechanger in liver cancer care is just one of the advanced treatments Swedish offers patients. Swedish was founded over a century ago by Dr. Nils Johanson, who intended it to be a home for some of the most advanced care in the Pacific Northwest. With renowned surgeons and advanced technology, Swedish is uniquely positioned to provide innovative care.
“We have absolutely incredible surgeons and physicians and staff at Swedish, which gives us the ability to deploy this technology,” Bennett said.
Swedish offers a nipple-sparing mastectomy and sensation-sparing mastectomy. These are often, but not always done together. In the past, these nerves were routinely cut during the removal of breast tissue, leading to loss of sensation in the breast.
“That ability to offer this to patients that are battling breast cancer, I think, is the least we could do,” Bennett said.
Swedish is home to nine surgical robotics platforms and 3D modeling. 3D modeling allows patients to sit down with a doctor before their procedure and look at a model of their lung or kidney, for example, and understand exactly what the surgeon will do.
The team at Swedish works to ensure all patients have access to these life-changing technologies.
“We are truly committed to providing the best care for the best outcome to every single patient we serve in every single community we are, regardless of any situation,” Bennett said.
To learn more about surgical advancements and innovative care, visit the Swedish website.
Sponsored by Providence Swedish
Segment Producer Suzie Wiley. Watch New Day Northwest at 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.