Thursday, July 14, 2011

Pioneer of surgical procedure preserves- Singapore patient’s uterus while removing 20 fibroids (including 3 that measured over 9cm in diameter)

A Singaporean couple discovered that Mrs. Tan, 43, had multiple large uterine fibroids (benign tumors) in a routine physical examination in 2007. Since then the couple had consulted renowned gynecologists throughout Singapore and Malaysia. Since the Tans desire children, they were disappointed to be told each time that the preferred treatment was hysterectomy, or complete removal of her uterus. Recently, they heard from friends that the director of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Taipei Medical University Hospital, Dr. Wei-Ming Liu, is a renowned specialist in this area of medicine. The Tans therefore decided to seek help in Taiwan from Dr. Liu.

After Dr. Liu’s assessment, Mrs. Tan decided to undergo minimally invasive surgical removal of uterine fibroids combined with bilateral uterine artery occlusion (微創性子宮肌瘤摘除術合併雙側子宮動脈阻斷術). This pioneering surgical procedure successfully removed more than twenty fibroids of different sizes. Mrs. Tan recovered very well after the operation and was relieved of the symptoms that had troubled her for four years. Most importantly, Mrs. Tan’s uterus could be retained for the couple’s wish to have babies in the future.

The director of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Taipei Medical University Hospital, Dr. Wei-Ming Liu, said that because the couple urgently wanted to retain the possibility of having children, all the fibroids could be removed using this minimally invasive surgical technique. With the assistance of Taipei Medical University Hospital’s International Healthcare Center, the patient was hospitalized on July 5. She received surgery on July 6 to remove the fibroids, which included three very large ones between 9 and 10 cm in diameter. Because the surgery also protected the bilateral uterine arteries, the bleeding was only 20 cc. This method successfully avoided the necessity for blood transfusions and also lowered the chance of future recurrence of uterine fibroids.

Mr. and Mrs. Tan were very satisfied with the results of this surgery and gave high marks to the hospital’s international medical team. Mr. Tan said that his career as an automobile dealer takes him traveling all over the world. Since his wife’s condition was diagnosed, he made every effort to search for possible treatments, without any satisfactory answer. After they decided to go to Taiwan to seek Dr. Liu’s opinion, the International Healthcare Center assisted each step of the way, from admission to post-surgical care and all special needs. Mr. Tan said, “I have travelled around the world for many years and had a lot of experiences in receiving health care services. The quality of international health care services at TMU Hospital, in its medical professionals, equipment and overall service, has achieved the best world standards.”

The superintendent of TMU Hospital, Dr. Tzen-Wen Chen, said the high standards of medical care and service orientation with reasonable prices are Taiwan's advantages in developing international health care services. Patients from the United States, Europe and mainland China come to Taiwan for treatment and to receive health check-ups and medical cosmetic services for these reasons. TMUH’s Center for Reproductive Medicine, its Gynecological Oncology and Chinese Traditional Medicine services and its Medical Cosmetic Center are favored by international patients and foreign diplomats in Taiwan. In addition to word of mouth, international guests choose Taiwan's hospitals for health care services according to whether the hospital is certified by the U.S.-based JCI hospital accreditation organization. TMU Hospital has also achieved related international certifications and evaluations in the areas of quality management, environmental management processes, and information security.



Dr. Liu further added that he received the World Conference of Gynecological Endoscopy Paper Award (Kert Samm Award) for his pioneering work on minimally invasive surgical removal of uterine fibroids in 2001. Over the past decade, he has performed more than 5000 operations, and has published more than 20 related papers. Many medical institutions have visited from around the world to witness his techniques and share his knowledge. TMU Hospital’s gynecologic team under the Dr. Liu’s leadership has reached the pinnacle of global achievement, and this technique can proudly represent Taiwan's advanced health care in the international medical arena.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Alberto's Story

Press Releases
From: Taipei Medical University Hospital
Alberto’s Story

Alberto Zaffaroni, a 47 years old Italian technician, came to Taipei Medical University Hospital with a reward, which he had received last November 30th after a 4 hours and 47 minutes run over a 42-kilometer marathon (Firenze Marathon, 2008) in Florence. This reward will be dedicated to the medical team which was led by Dr.
Chih-Hsiung Wu, the Superintendent of Taipei Medical University and Dr, Yung-Hsiao Chiang, Chairman of Department of Neurosurgery in July of 2007.
On June 15th, 2007, Alberto Zaffaroni was installing machinery in Tao-Yuan County Guan-Yin Township during his second visit to Taiwan when he suffered severe trauma from a 770 pound poll falling over his head. Alberto was rendered unconscious with severe skull fracture and cerebrospinal fluid leakage of more than 100ml, daily. After resuscitations and surgical intervention under the meticulous care of the medical team, his family and his employer, Alberto returned to Milan, Italy on August 15th, 2007. “Statistically, 85% of patients with your condition could not recover.” Alberto remembers Dr. Chiang’s words as he woke up.
After returning to Milan, Alberto received 6 months of rehabilitation in Besta Milano Hospital where Dr. Carlo Lazzaro Solero told him, “There are only about 2-3 neurosurgeons capable of performing this operation in Italy.” Post-rehabilitation evaluation by physicians estimated a remaining 45% work performance. Alberto not only returned to work with determination, now with more focus on management and interpersonal communications, he maintains his love for engineering work and continues to install state-of-the-art machinery around the world.
Alberto says, “Taiwan is my second home, people here care for me very much. If I were anywhere else, I am afraid I couldn’t receive such care. I am so Fortunate.”
Under the support of his friends, Alberto participated in the international Marathon in Florence on November 30th, 2008. Thinking he wasn’t able to complete his full run,
Alberto crossed the finish-line with a stunning result of 4 hours and 47 minutes. On that moment, he shed tears of appreciation and decided to dedicate this honor to Taipei Medical University Hospital.

Love Everywhere, including to Our Student !

Nelson, the international student from Solomon Islands attended the master program of Taipei Medical University, found acute urethral calculi during the final exam period. Real-time contact to urology department of TMU Hospital by the project manager Gary Wang of international office in TMU, and had a surgery on January 15.With the company and support with classmates and employees in TMUH, Nelson said at ward “Although I am suffered severe pain with the surgery, but fortunately doctors in Taiwan found the problem. If it is happen in my hometown, I'm afraid it is very difficult to predict and hardly to be cured.” President Lee in TMUH has given a visit and warm encouragement with Nelson and Nelson expressed sincere appreciation for the large and most of the care from all in TMU and TMU Hospital.

U.S. grandma leaves a gallstone in Taiwan

An American grandmother yesterday wound up a “marvelous” cruise trip to Taiwan after leaving a super-large gallstone at the Taipei Medical University Hospital (TMUH).

The grandmother, aged 71 and named Channa Eshett, was discharged from the hospital Feb. 22 after recovering from a surgical operation on Feb. 16, when doctors smoothly removed from her body a giant gallstone 2 centimeters in diameter, four to six times the diameter of ordinary gallstones measuring 0.3 to 0.5 centimeters.

“What a marvelous trip!” Eshett said. She expressed thanks to the doctors and nurses of the TMUH for their excellent medical services. “I love Taiwan, I love everyone here!”

Eshett and her husband were aboard the Ocean Princess Liner for a voyage to Asia more than 10 days ago. She unexpectedly felt a bellyache on Feb. 12 and was diagnosed to have cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gall bladder, after receiving medical treatment in Hong Kong.
As her stomachache lingered into Feb. 16, when the cruise liner anchored at the Keelung Harbor, she was rushed to the TMUH for examination and then underwent surgical operations to remove her gallstone.

Channa Eshett is seen gazing at a large gallstone taken from her stomach before leaving the Taipei Medical University Hospital yesterday. (Reproduced from TVBS & The China Post news)

Thank You to Cure My Father

Effendy's Thank you letter

Hello,

My husband Effendy Sugianto suffered from a brain meningioma tumor 7 years ago and received an operation which left him unbalanced and requiring him to use a walking frame. My husband is 47 years old and lives in Jakarta, Indonesia. We are married and have two children (boy 11 yrs & a girl 9 yrs old).


After consulting with Dr. Eka, he recommended that my husband see Dr. Lin, who is a neurosurgeon that uses cyber-knife laser at Wan Fang hospital, Taiwan. Because of Dr. Lin experiences in dealing with this type of tumor, my husband urgently left for Taiwan to receive treatment.

After we arrived in Taiwan we received great medical care on 3rd August 2009.
Dr. Lin & his team welcomed us and took care of Effendy with simple diagnostic procedures. He was feeling excruciating pain on his cheek, neck and head.

The next day Dr. Lin & his team started to perform medical tests, than continue to perform cyber-knife laser on him. It took only 2 hours and then my husband could walk from the hospital to their hotel room. After 5 days Dr. Lin allows Effendy go home.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Dr. Lin and his team for their hospitality during the treatment period. My husband said that he was able to tolerate the treatment and did not have any symptoms or complaints.

According to Effendy, since this disease discovered at the age of 41 yrs, his tumor started to become larger and larger. The tumor has made it very inconvenient and has caused him difficulty in walking and talking. Because of this, it has kept him away from work and enjoying a social life. My husbands said “My wish is that I hope one day I can walk without the help of a walking frame.

Thank you for helping Effendy to regain his health and joy in life Dr. Lin and medical team who helped him during this difficult time. I hope that you can use this experience to help more patients in the future suffering from brain tumor.


Best Regards,


Mrs. Fenny Sugianto

Patient's family praises TMU Hospital care

A patient’s family recently sent this letter of gratitude to Dr. Yung-Hsiao Chiang:
“When I found out that my aunt needed cervical spine surgery, I was shocked and confused, trying to understand her condition with the limited knowledge I possessed on the subject.
"The cervical spine is equivalent to the vertebral column, right? This is extremely dangerous!" I was overwhelmed with worry, but knew my aunt was even more afraid, so I kept my questions to a minimum. I expected that my fears would only increase further when filling in her hospital admittance forms. Hospitals had always given me a bad impression: strong, unpleasant odors filled their dark corridors, as anxious eyes filled with doubt and fear navigated endless hallways.
Taipei Medical University Hospital, however, proved to be a pleasant surprise. It was warmly lit and had calming guest areas for patients and their family members. It was apparent that the hospital’s design was aimed at providing a compassionate and humane environment.
I wish to express my gratitude to the Neurosurgery Department’s director, Dr. Yung-Hsiao Chiang, and his team for their patience and understanding. They fully explained my aunt’s condition and meticulously detailed to me the planned surgery, while also revealing the procedure’s associated risks and complications.
During my aunt’s stay at the hospital, the nursing team was also exceptional in their care, from admittance to discharge. Taipei Medical University Hospital proved that it has set itself apart from traditional hospitals.
My aunt travels the world often, as required by her job, but she frequently suffered from neck and shoulder pain. She therefore decided to pay a visit to the Taipei Medical University Hospital. There, Dr. Yung-Hsiao Chiang took the time to fully understand my aunt’s condition. Effective tests were efficiently arranged, and through Dr. Chiang’s medical and professional expertise, coupled with the hospital’s technologically advanced medical equipment, my aunt was able to quickly recover and return to work.
The first time I met Dr. Yung-Hsiao Chiang was during his early morning rounds, while I was half-asleep and still drowsy. He carried a friendly smile, but I could sense his professionalism and seriousness. I later took the time to read up on this department head and discovered his dedication to medical research. Sources recommended him as a highly skilled and devoted doctor. Upon meeting him, I were further amazed at how he treated his patients as his own family!
Two days after my aunt’s surgery, she no longer required intravenous therapy, and was able to move around normally. By the third day, she was able to walk to nearby Taipei 101 for lunch. Thanks to Dr. Chiang, my aunt is back to full health and her relentless energy has truly surprised us all.
“You’re much too skinny! You should eat more!” These were the first words TMUH’s superintendent, Dr. Fei-Peng Lee, said to me. If I hadn’t glanced at his name tag, I would not have realized that he was the hospital’s superintendent. From his attitude, I could understand the direction in which Taipei Medical University Hospital is headed. Dr. Lee and his hospital not only care about obtaining the most advanced medical technology and achieving efficiency and efficacy in patient treatment, but find it just as necessary to show great compassion for a patient’s family and friends, so any worries that I had were easily put to rest.
I am tremendously grateful to Dr. Lee and his team for their caring and understanding. I would also like to thank Taipei Medical University Hospital for its outstanding organization and management. Thank you all again!

A Japanese Visitor's Heart Attack Ends Happily as TMUH Emergency Medical Team Saves His Life

On December 22, 2010, Japanese tourists Mr. & Mrs. Yoshida Takashi came to Taiwan for their first visit. On the first night of their stay, Mr. Yoshida suddenly felt chest pain and was rushed to Taipei Medical University Hospital assisted by his hotel’s staff for emergency medical treatment.
Dr. CHUN-YAO HUANG (黃群耀) diagnosed Mr. Yoshida with acute myocardial infarction and found him in critical condition. The TMUH Emergency Medical Team immediately conducted further examinations and proceeded with surgical treatment to implant cardiovascular stents. Mr. Yoshida’s life was saved by the successful operation.
Mr. Yoshida, a bright and humorous gentleman, recalled the whole process and then described himself as "very lucky." He said he just had taken a cardiac examination in Japan and knew there are three narrowed arteries. However, his doctor told him that there was no necessity to deal with them immediately, so Mr. Yoshida did not take any aggressive action for further treatment, as he never thought he would have this terrifying experience.
   
Fortunately, the medical care quality, facilities and overall service of TMUH are of the top international standard. And most importantly, the emergency medical team provided a professional and prompt response to Mr. Yoshida’s critical condition so he could recover very quickly.
Mr. Yoshida’s stay at TMUH happened during the New Year and the celebration for the 100th anniversary of the Republic of China. The couple enjoyed TMUH’s excellent location to watch the Taipei 101 fireworks show together; and they said that it was their first time to watch such fireworks. Before they left Taiwan, the staff of TMUH celebrated Mrs. Yoshida’s birthday together with the couple. Mr. & Mrs. Yoshida expressed their deepest appreciation to TMUH for this thoughtfulness as well as for its excellent and life-saving care.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Happy New Year!Happy New Year!Happy New Year!Happy New Year!Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!Happy New Year!Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!Happy New Year!