Dr. Ninh Nguyen, chief of gastrointestinal surgery at the UC Irvine Medical Center, and colleagues are seeking participants in a nationwide clinical study to test a new, minimally invasive way to treat morbid obesity without altering the stomach through gastric bypass surgery or laparoscopic banding. The Empower study will employ a novel VBLOC Therapy, in which implanted electrodes will block nerve signals carried between the brain and the digestive system that control sensations of hunger, satisfaction and fullness. The five-year safety and efficacy study is being held at five U.S. locations and a site in Australia.   More »

Dr. David B. Hoyt, the John E. Connolly M.D. Professor and Chair of Surgery, has been awarded with the American College of Surgeons’ highest honor, the 2007 Distinguished Service Award. Hoyt was recognized for his service with the College and for his significant contributions to the field of trauma surgery. The College cited Hoyt as an architect and sustaining force of the San Diego Trauma System and for his natural leadership, integrity, vision and service as a role model to surgeons everywhere. Hoyt came to UC Irvine last year from UC San Diego. He oversees all surgical services and training provided through the Department of Surgery, which encompasses 10 surgical divisions and the highly acclaimed UC Irvine Regional Burn Center and Beckman Laser Institute. He was presented with the award Oct. 11 at the College’s Annual Meeting of Fellows in New Orleans.   More »

The Bariatric Surgery Program at UC Irvine has been accredited as a Level 1a Bariatric Center by the American College of Surgeons Bariatric Surgery Center Network. The accreditation demonstrates that UCI has the resources to successfully further surgical education and provide high-quality care to patients with greater opportunities for safe and effective outcomes. The Bariatric Surgery Program, led by Board-certified gastrointestinal surgeons, Drs. Ninh T. Nguyen and H. Joseph Naim, offers the most advanced minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques and features a multidisciplinary team of experts, including nurses, psychologists, dieticians, patient coordinators and anesthesiologists. Pictured here is grateful patient Mary Jane Roberts, who dropped from 250 to 120 pounds after her surgery at UC Irvine Medical Center. The surgery enabled Roberts to alleviate harmful obesity-related conditions such as high blood pressure and acid reflux.   More »

UC Irvine urologists have successfully performed in the laboratory the first minimally invasive kidney surgery technique using a specially designed surgical device that allows for the use of multiple instruments without leaving a visible scar. Drs. Ralph Clayman (pictured), professor and chair of urology and fellow Geoffrey Box led the effort in developing this unique method of going through two natural orifices to perform a nephrectomy – a procedure in which the kidney is removed. They presented their results in a paper – which was awarded first prize from over 100 submissions – at the annual Engineering and Urology Society section of the American Urology Association meeting in Anaheim in May. UC Irvine urologists are leaders in developing new minimally invasive surgical techniques, and Clayman and Box believe this breakthrough could eventually lead to possibly less invasive kidney procedures with faster recovery times.   More »