Las Vegas man credits his health and short hospital stay to innovative procedure
Hugh Smyers was enjoying a relaxing day on the water, fishing in May of this year when unbeknownst to him, he would be visiting a local emergency room days later. Smyers typically avoids medical appointments and hospitals but he endured two full days of excruciating pain before finally seeking help at MountainView Hospital’s Emergency Room where he learned his appendix ruptured. He knew something wasn’t quite right and ended up spending the next seven days in the hospital. There was concern after imaging revealed a growth had formed on Smyer’s pancreas. While recovering, he was introduced to Las Vegas native, Dr. Matthew Selleck, a dual board-certified general surgeon and complex general surgical oncologist, on day three of his stay.
During his consultation with Dr. Selleck at Las Vegas Complex Surgical Specialists, Smyers learned of the size of the growth and what would need to be done. He received news that a Whipple procedure was recommended.
A Whipple procedure is a highly complex surgery performed to remove tumors or suspicious lesions that may occur in the pancreas, bile duct or small intestine. It is not only difficult in a procedural sense, as it does require the surgeon to rearrange much of the contents of the abdomen, but also in terms of after-care as well.
“This procedure often requires patients to have a lengthy stay in the hospital with a fair amount of risk associated with it,” explained Dr. Selleck who received his residency and fellowship training at Loma Linda University Medical Center. “A typical procedure can take between five to eight hours, Mr. Smyers procedure took seven hours.”
Although MountainView Hospital is a high-volume center and Dr. Selleck has performed many of these and other complex surgical procedures, what made this a “first” in Las Vegas, was that this procedure was performed using a state-of-the-art robotic system. A robotic procedure can only be performed by a highly skilled and specially-trained surgeon, like Dr. Selleck.
Robotic procedures at MountainView Hospital are performed by surgeons who have spent countless hours training on the system. These surgeons guide robots that enhance the precision, stability and visualization of the procedure. This provides a clear and steady view of the surgical field while giving the surgeon more control. Robotic surgeries offer a number of benefits to the patient including in the case of Smyers, smaller incisions, less pain, faster recovery and a shorter hospital stay.
For Smyers, he knew what a complex surgery this was but was relieved to know his procedure went well. “I expected a long recovery with a lot of pain however I woke up with next to no pain,” noted Smyers. “I was feeling well enough that I took my first walk the next day, only 18 hours after the operation,” said Smyers. “I was released to go home after only four days after my surgery” said Mr. Smyers.
“If the procedure was completed using the standard, open approach, Mr. Smyers may have stayed longer due to pain and after-care required with a traditional, non-robotic procedure”, noted Dr. Selleck.
Today, Smyers is feeling great and his advice to patients that might think something isn’t quite right with their health, “Ask questions, do your research” said Smyers. “If you need this type of procedure, you go see Dr. Selleck and only him,” said Smyers. “He did an excellent job, I’m 90 days out and I’m not afraid to do anything, I’m feeling really good”.
Dr. Selleck, who returned to his hometown in 2021, brings a unique and heartfelt commitment to his native city of Las Vegas. He attended medical school at Touro University School of Osteopathic Medicine also in Las Vegas and is making a tremendous impact in the health of the Southern Nevada community. He is a pioneer in the state performing additional “firsts” including hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy surgery, a surgical procedure to treat abdominal cancer as well as a robotic procedure to treat esophageal cancer.
