Dr. Pleatman studies several surgical techniques and their impacts on patient recovery, particularly in areas like appendectomy, hernia repair, and chronic pain management. He has explored laparoscopic surgeries, which are less invasive options that allow for quicker recovery and less pain for patients. Additionally, he investigates the use of laser therapy for treating chronic vulvar pain in women, striving to provide effective solutions to those who have not found relief from traditional treatments. His work is instrumental in improving patient care across multiple medical fields.
Key findings
In laparoscopic appendectomy, patients stayed in the hospital for an average of 32.5 hours compared to 74.2 hours for open appendectomy, experiencing lower costs of approximately $7,090 versus $11,260.
In a study on laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty, only 0.45% of patients faced complications during the surgery, and most healed within 5 days, returning to work in about 7.7 days.
In treating idiopathic vulvodynia with laser therapy, 56% of the 175 women reported improvement after one session, increasing to 76% after multiple sessions.
The thoracoscopic implantation of implantable cardioverter defibrillators was successful in 67% of cases without complications, mirroring the heart response seen in traditional methods.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Pleatman study laser treatments for chronic pain?
Yes, he has researched the effectiveness of laser therapy for treating chronic vulvar pain in women.
What surgical techniques has Dr. Pleatman developed?
He has developed less invasive surgical techniques, including laparoscopic surgeries for appendectomy and hernia repair, which improve recovery times and reduce complications.
Is Dr. Pleatman's work relevant for patients needing heart devices?
Absolutely, he has explored methods for implanting heart devices with less invasive techniques that reduce recovery time and surgical risks.
What are the benefits of laparoscopic surgery compared to traditional open surgery?
Laparoscopic surgeries generally result in shorter hospital stays, less pain, and lower overall costs for patients compared to traditional open surgeries.
Can men benefit from Dr. Pleatman's hernia research?
Yes, his research on laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty primarily benefits men who are commonly affected by inguinal hernias.
Publications in plain English
Live interactive broadcast of laparoscopic surgery via the Internet.
1998
Surgical endoscopy
Gandsas A, Altrudi R, Pleatman M, Silva Y
Plain English This study looked at how live surgeries can be broadcast over the Internet, allowing real-time interaction between surgeons and participants from different locations. During two broadcasts in 1996, the video was clear enough for discussion, with about 83% of audio transmitted successfully; the cost was similar to a regular local phone call. This matters because it opens up new ways for doctors to collaborate and learn from each other during surgeries, potentially improving patient outcomes.
Who this helps: Surgeons and medical professionals worldwide.
Laparoscopic appendectomy: a viable alternative approach.
1997
Journal of laparoendoscopic & advanced surgical techniques. Part A
Nazzal M, Ali MA, Turfah F, Kaidi A, Saba A +2 more
Plain English This research looked at two types of surgery to remove the appendix: laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and open appendectomy (OA). The study found that patients who had LA stayed in the hospital significantly less time—32.5 hours compared to 74.2 hours for OA—and needed less pain medication. Additionally, LA was cheaper overall, costing about $7,090 compared to $11,260 for OA.
Who this helps: This benefits patients needing appendix surgery, as they experience less pain, shorter recovery times, and lower costs.
Results of a prospective multicenter trial evaluating the ePTFE peritoneal onlay laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty.
1996
Journal of laparoendoscopic surgery
Toy FK, Moskowitz M, Smoot RT, Pleatman M, Bagdasarian A +5 more
Plain English This study looked at a new method for fixing inguinal hernias using a special material called ePTFE. The researchers repaired 441 hernias in 351 patients and found the surgery to be safe, with only 0.45% of patients experiencing complications during the operation and 8% after it. Most patients healed quickly, taking an average of just over 5 days to recover and returning to work in about 7.7 days, showing this method can effectively treat hernias with minimal issues.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with inguinal hernias and the doctors who perform the surgery.
Plain English This study focused on treating chronic vulvar pain in women who had not found relief from other treatments. Out of 175 women, those treated with a special laser showed that 56% experienced improvement after one session, which increased to 76% after multiple treatments. In contrast, women with severe pain related to Bartholin's glands had lower success rates, but removing those glands helped many find relief. This research is important because it offers an effective, less invasive treatment option for women suffering from idiopathic vulvodynia.
Who this helps: This helps patients dealing with chronic vulvar pain.
ICD implantation via thoracoscopy without the need for sternotomy or thoracotomy.
1993
Pacing and clinical electrophysiology : PACE
Frumin H, Goodman GR, Pleatman M
Plain English This study looked at a new way to implant a heart device called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) using a method called thoracoscopy, which avoids large chest incisions. In two of the three patients studied, doctors successfully placed the device using this approach without complications. The heart's response to the device was similar to traditional surgery, showing that this method works well.
Who this helps: This benefits patients needing heart devices by providing a less invasive surgical option.
Endoscopic tonometric assessment of intestinal perfusion in a canine model.
1989
Gastrointestinal endoscopy
Schonholz S, Pleatman M, Kasserman D, Ponsky J
Plain English Researchers studied how blood flow affects intestinal health using special balloons placed in different parts of the digestive system of anesthetized dogs. They found that blocking a major blood vessel quickly lowered the pH in the right colon and parts of the small intestine, indicating a dangerous lack of blood flow, while other areas showed no change. This is important because it highlights a technique that could help doctors detect early signs of blood flow problems in patients with intestinal issues.
Who this helps: Patients experiencing intestinal blood flow problems.