Surgical Care

Overview

Our team works in cooperation with your physician to perform surgical services in a timely manner. New procedures, combined with state-of-the-art technology and fast-acting anesthetics, speed recovery time and get you back home more quickly. 

At TidalHealth, we also perform a variety of minimally invasive procedures and robotic surgery using the daVinci Surgical Robot. Minimally invasive procedures are also performed using laparoscopy which need much smaller incisions, reducing pain and speeding recovery times after surgery.

Our caring staff specializes in making the patient experience at TidalHealth as personal and pleasant as possible. Smiles and positive attitudes are part of our culture and patients can expect a warm, caring, and safe environment.

To find a surgeon near you, visit our Find a Doctor page.

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Surgical Procedures

Some of the procedures performed at TidalHealth hospitals are listed below. This doesn’t include everything, but includes common surgical procedures needed by our community. Surgeries are performed using minimally invasive techniques whenever possible.

General surgery procedures 

• Appendectomy
• Biopsies
• Breast Surgery
• Colonoscopy & Colon Surgery
• Fistulectomy
• Hernia Procedures
• Wound Care Procedures

Specialty surgical Procedures

• Bariatric/ Weight Loss Surgery
• Ear, Nose & Throat
• Gastroenterology (GI)
• Gynecology
• Interventional Cardiology
• Oral Surgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Plastic Surgery
• Podiatry 
• Urology

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TidalHealth Institute for Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery

TidalHealth Peninsula Regional was the first hospital to bring minimally invasive surgical techniques to Delmarva Peninsula. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) provides significant benefits to patients in reducing incision related pain, early return to normal activity after the surgery, and decreased hospital length of stay following the surgery. Scientific data shows reduced surgical complications following MIS compared to the traditional open surgery.

MIS often requires placing multiple small incisions and using a high definition camera to discern anatomy and perform surgery using the most advanced equipment. It can be performed either using a laparoscope or daVinci robot.

Laparoscopic surgery is at the forefront of MIS and continues to be an integral part of MIS since the 1990s when the first gallbladder surgery was performed at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional. Since then, multiple specialties in our health system have embraced laparoscopy and thousands of laparoscopic procedures are performed annually at TidalHealth.

TidalHealth Peninsula Regional was the first facility on the Delmarva Peninsula to use a daVinci robot in 2007, and has performed more than 1,000 robotic surgical procedures across many surgical specialties since then. The robot is now being used at TidalHealth Nanticoke as well, leading to smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays and quicker recoveries for patients in Sussex County.

The daVinci® HD Surgical Robot, located tableside in the operating room, allows a surgeon's hand movements to be scaled, filtered and translated into precise movements of micro instruments at the surgical site. From a console inside the operating room and near the patient, the surgeon uses the daVinci system to precisely translate their hand movements to the robot. The magnified, high-resolution, three-dimensional view the surgeon experiences lets them perform precise and complex surgery through very small surgical incisions.

Examples of surgeries currently being performed using MIS:

• Thoracic surgery
• Lung resection with lymph node dissection
• Decortication
• Thymectomy
• Prostatectomy
• Nephrectomy partial, total
• Ureteral reconstruction
• Pylolithotomy
• Adrenalectomy

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Preparing for Surgery 

Your physician will discuss your surgery with you during your office visit and explain the risks, benefits and alternatives. After the decision for surgery is made, your physician will work with TidalHealth to schedule a date and time for your procedure. 

You will complete a pre-anesthesia questionnaire that you can email, fax or drop off to the TidalHealth facility where you are having surgery. One of our pre-admission nurses will review the questionnaire with you about 3-5 business days before your planned procedure. Be sure to advise the staff of any medical or anesthesia problems, and all drugs that you are taking including illicit/social drugs, over the counter drugs, and herbal remedies. Bring specific questions or concerns to your nurse's attention at this time. We want you to be comfortable with all aspects of your surgery and postoperative care.

You will be contacted prior to your arrival by a TidalHealth staff member to verify your insurance. Do not hesitate to ask any questions regarding your insurance or required prior authorizations.

Routine pre-op testing is limited to patients whose procedure or medical condition (including medications) indicates the need for it. The surgeon and/or anesthesiologist may request additional testing or consultations based on your medical history. Testing may be done at a TidalHealth facility or a facility determined by your health insurance. 

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When You Arrive

A staff member will escort you to a room to change into a provided hospital gown in preparation for surgery.

• Your clothing will be put into a bag and placed in a locker.
• A nurse will ask questions about your health and the medications you are taking. They will start an IV for you to receive medications and fluids.
• Your family or significant other may stay with you during your time in the Day Surgery Unit. We ask that you limit the number of visitors to two due to space limitations.
• For your safety, you will be asked to wear an ID band. Do not remove it. You may be asked the same questions multiple times during your stay for identification purposes.
• Your surgeon, anesthesiologist and certified registered nurse anesthetist will meet with you prior to your surgery and review any questions you may have. In addition, your surgeon will be asked to mark and/or initial the spot on your body to be operated on. You will then be taken into the operating room to have your surgery. In the operating room your heart rate, blood pressure, pulse and respirations will be continuously monitored.
• Occasionally, your surgeon may decide to admit you to the hospital following your surgery. The decision is based on the outcome of your surgery, how you tolerated anesthesia, or the amount of pain you have afterwards.

Reminders for the day of surgery

• Remember to bring two forms of identification with you. One must be a photo ID such as a driver’s license.
• Bring your health insurance cards with you.
• Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. Unless told otherwise, do not give young children bottles after midnight the night before their surgery.
• Do not take medications of any kind unless your surgeon or the anesthesiologist tells you. Take only sips of water.
• No alcoholic beverages 24 hours before surgery.
• Do not wear jewelry of any kind, including body piercings the day of surgery.
• Please bathe or shower the morning of surgery, but do not use any creams or lotions on your skin. Do not wear nail polish.
• You are responsible for the safe keeping of your valuables. Please do not bring any jewelry, money or any other valuables to the hospital.  Leave your contact lenses at home or bring a container and solution for them with you.
• Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing that is easy to put on after surgery.

Visit our Patient Rights & Responsibilities page.

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After Surgery

You will return to the Day Surgery Unit or the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) for observation and preparation to return home.

• Your blood pressure and pain level will be monitored. You will be asked to rate your pain on a scale of 0-10.
• Medication and other comfort measures will be given to relieve your pain.
• If you are an Extended Recovery patient or are admitted, nursing staff in your patient room will provide your care.
• It is important to take deep breaths and cough to help rid your body of medication you received during surgery. A towel or small blanket placed over your incision will help comfort you if you move or cough.
• Your nurse will review home care instructions with you and another responsible person when you are ready for discharge. You will receive a copy of these home care instructions.

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After You Go Home

• Do not operate any heavy machinery or equipment or make important business or personal decisions for 24 hours after your surgery.
• Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours after your surgery. DO NOT mix alcohol and pain medication.
• Take your pain medications according to the directions.
• Do not drive while taking pain medications.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Most people have questions about their surgery, from what to expect to how to prepare. The best resource for all of your questions will always be your surgeon. However, here are a few questions frequently asked by our patients.