Center for Advanced Surgical Technologies

 

The Center for Advanced Surgical Technologies (CAST) was formed in 1996, when the Alliant Community Trust, a principle benefactor organization within Norton Hospital, joined with the Department of Surgery at the University of Louisville to form this unique residency program.  This program consolidates a collaborative relationship between the Departments of Surgery, Diagnostic Radiology, and Gastroenterology to provide the most technologically advanced and often least invasive method for the numerous patients seeking care either within the Norton system or by the University of Louisville surgical faculty.  Although minimal access is the focal point of advanced surgical technology, our concepts include other new and evolving procedures as well. The CAST program also meshes carefully with popular fellowships for fully trained surgeons.

 Program Procedures

·        Radioguided, minimally invasive parathyroidectomy.

 ·        Lymphoscintigraphy and sentinel lymph node biopsy, especially for breast cancer and malignant   melanoma.

·        Endovascular procedures to include graft deployment.

 ·        Breast imaging and image-directed breast interventions.

 ·        Advanced upper and lower gastrointestinal endoscopy.

 ·        A variety of methods for laser treatment of upper area digestive tract cancers.

 

Further Reading

Kehdy FJ, Allen JW, Vitale GC, Polk HC Jr. Further results of incorporating innovative procedures in a surgical residency.  Surg Innov 2005:12:167-171.

 Martin RCG II, Kehy FJ, Allen JW. Formal training in advanced surgical technologies enhances the surgical residency. Am J Surg 2005;190:244-248.

 Klodell CT, Martin RCG II, Allen JW, Polk HC Jr. Advanced surgical technology experience valuable to the basic education of general surgery residents. Bull Am Coll Surg  2001;86:11-15.