Sat, Oct 8,
2005
New
Weston center performs first surgery
By Amy Olson
Wausau Daily Herald
aolson@wdhprint.com
Weston
Regional Medical Center's first surgery patient arrived Friday - and
was expected to leave the same day.
Dr. James Holt, an
ears, nose and throat specialist at Marshfield Clinic, performed the
campus' first surgery at the Diagnostic and Treatment Center's Same
Day Surgery facility.
Holt operated on 58-year-old Ronald
Sandquist of Wausau, removing an accumulation of tissue in
Sandquist's right ear to widen the opening of his ear and his ear
canal.
| About the Diagnostic and Treatment
Center
What: A joint venture between Marshfield Clinic and
Ministry Health Care
Where: In the Weston Regional Medical
Center in Weston
Services: Same-day surgery; radiology
services, including MRI, CT and mobile PET scanning; heart
services such as cardiac testing and monitoring; women's
imaging services; physical, occupation and speech therapy;
rehabilitation; and radiation oncology services
In the
works: Will eventually offer a sleep lab at a new facility off
the Weston Regional Medical Center
campus
|
Normally, the
body is able to sweep out debris, including dead skin and wax. In
Sandquist's case, however, that natural sweeping mechanism was
thwarted. That lead to frequent buildups that made it difficult for
sound to get through and for Sandquist to hear.
Holt said the
condition Sandquist had is relatively uncommon and found primarily
among adults. It can affect one or both ears.
Holt said
Sandquist was resting comfortably in a recovery room Friday
afternoon and was expected to be released. Though he wasn't ready to
talk to reporters, Holt said Sandquist told him he was excited about
having the surgery done in the new facility.
"I was
comfortable doing the procedure here, because the dedicated staff
did the prep work" to make the operating rooms easy to use, Holt
said. That included ordering instruments including a microscope that
ears, nose and throat surgeons like Holt will need for these types
of procedures.
Kathy Tarcon, executive director of the
Diagnostic and Treatment Center, said that after months of
preparation, staff members were glad to have the first
patient.
"They were excited," she said. "That's why they're
here - to care for patients."
Holt said he expects Sandquist will
heal completely in about four weeks.
