Phoenix Arizona Hand Doctor Develops Revolutionary New Surgery System, Eliminates Need for Large Incisions

PHOENIX, Sept. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For many people experiencing issues with their hands or wrists, surgery often means facing the prospect of large, painful incisions and long recovery time. As can be imagined, regular activities are also impacted, such as working, driving and even eating. Depending on the severity of the problem, some patients even delay necessary treatment, resorting to splints or braces, which can even lead to permanent damage for some conditions.

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Traditional surgical techniques usually require the physician to open areas large enough to provide visualization to affected areas and to perform necessary repairs. These incisions can be painful and may often lead to scarring. As with most surgeries, pain control is addressed by taking oral pain medications, a prospect that many people seek to avoid. Since a patient's hands grasp and touch objects throughout the day, infection is also a significant concern. With longer healing times, the challenge of minimizing pain and reducing the risks of infection increase as well.

Many surgeons now perform endoscopic or "minimally-invasive" surgery. Minimally-invasive surgery involves the use of miniature cameras placed through small incisions, which enable the surgeon to perform surgeries that are normally performed through an open, much larger incision. A common example of this technique is the removal of the gallbladder through small camera that is placed into the abdomen (known as a laparoscopic cholecystectomy). The first surgery of this kind was performed in 1988, and the patient recovered in days rather than weeks or months.

The use of minimally-invasive approaches for hand surgery has also lead to significant improvement in patient outcomes. However, there had been many risks associated with this technique in the past. These included increased nerve, tendon, or blood vessel damage due to the limitation of visualization in such a small space.

Dr. Michael Fitzmaurice of the Fitzmaurice Hand Institute in Phoenix, Arizona has been performing endoscopic hand surgery for many years, and is one of the most experienced minimally-invasive hand surgeons in the United States. Recognizing the benefits of endoscopic hand surgery, Dr. Fitzmaurice set out to find a solution to the risks associated with limited visibility when operating on his patients. This led to the development of the EndoTech® Endoscopic Surgery System. The new instrumentation provides the most advanced visualization of any endoscopic hand surgery technique available. Its leading-edge technology allows the surgeon to see all of the internal anatomy with extreme clarity, so that procedures can be performed in the safest and most effective manner possible.

Since its development, studies have shown that the remarkable visualization provided by EndoTech® significantly decreases surgical risks, with no reported complications in more than 4000 procedures performed. EndoTech® results in the least amount of pain and the fastest recovery, when compared to other surgical techniques. This allows for a much higher success rate and a greater overall patient outcome.

To learn more about the EndoTech® Endoscopic Surgery System, you can visit www.fitzhand.com

Contact: Michael J Fitzmaurice, M.D. 480 719-4750

SOURCE Dr. Michael Fitzmaurice