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Hoboken UMC Surgeon Provides Relief for Patients Who Can't Eat |
Dr. Tamica White only surgeon in Hoboken performing procedure
HOBOKEN, NJ, July 14, 2009 — For Kathleen McHugh, eating had become nearly impossible. Severe pain in her esophagus made it difficult to swallow food fast enough, causing a backup of saliva that made her gag and choke. The discomfort often lasted up to nine hours, making McHugh miserable.
The Jersey City senior saw several doctors for the condition and even underwent a few surgical procedures to try to find relief — but nothing worked. Then she was referred to Dr. Tamica White, a noted thoracic surgeon who practices at Hoboken University Medical Center.
White is one of the few area surgeons who surgically treats achalasia, a condition caused by a narrowing of the distal esophagus resulting in McHugh’s severe problems. The esophageal muscle can’t relax, making it too narrow to allow food to pass comfortably.
Achalasia can affect patients of any age, with symptoms including difficulty swallowing, regurgitating undigested food, and sometimes weight loss, chest pain resembling heartburn and coughing when lying in a horizontal position.
“These patients have real difficulty swallowing. They can’t eat solid food,” explained White, a Verona resident who attended the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and trained in general surgery at Georgetown University Hospital. “Many people don’t realize it can be taken care of with a two- or three-day hospital stay.”
In April, White performed a procedure on McHugh called a Laparoscopic Heller myotomy, the minimally invasive surgery involves making five tiny incisions in the abdomen and gently cutting the top two layers of esophogeal muscle to relax the area.
After the surgery patients may experience mild discomfort, which is relieved with pain medication.
“Like any laparoscopic procedure, there can be mild discomfort,” said White, who completed fellowships at New York Presbyterian Cornell and Memorial Sloan Kettering. “But many patients don’t even need pain medication. They’re usually back to work in less than a week.”
Today, McHugh can eat again, but follows a special diet that emphasizes soft foods that are easy to swallow, such as chicken and sandwiches. She still takes her time eating but her previous pain is gone.
While it’s not a perfect cure, the surgery has vastly improved McHugh’s quality of life. She gives White high marks for her professionalism and caring attitude.
“Dr. White is very personable and easy to talk to,” McHugh said. “She listens, and that’s so important in a doctor to let you express your feelings. I would definitely recommend this surgery to others.”
For more information on Hoboken University Medical Center, go to www.hobokenumc.com or call (201) 418-1000.
About Hoboken University Medical Center
Hoboken University Medical Center is a 328-bed facility located in the heart of Hoboken. Hoboken UMC recently unveiled a new state-of-the art Emergency Department that delivers more efficient, better care to Hudson area patients. It is the oldest continuing hospital in New Jersey, with some of the area’s best doctors and nurses, the latest in medical technology, and a host of medical specialties to treat people of all ages and ailments. Hoboken UMC holds a Gold Seal of Approval for high quality patient care and safety from the Joint Commission on Health Care.
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