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Micro Spine Surgery
A Macro Advancement at CHH
 (Torrington, CT) On January 11, 2010, for the first time ever at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, two surgeons performed a transthoracic microdiscectomy. This recently microspine surgery cuts patient recovery time from weeks to days; reduces the risk of complications; eliminates the need for blood transfusions
“I feel so much better it’s amazing. I’m really happy,” the 53-year-old patient from Bantam, Connecticut says. She had found a spine surgeon in the Yellow Pages. But she dialed the wrong number. She reached Dr. Cameron Brown’s office at Associated Litchfield County Orthopedics by mistake. Or maybe not. Dale now says the wrong number was fate.
Tests revealed a herniated disc in the middle portion or thoracic section of her spine. After medication and rest didn’t relieve her pain, Dr. Brown raised the possibility of transthoracic microdiscectomy surgery at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital. Dr. Brown describes this relatively new surgery as a major advancement over the more conventional thoracic spine surgeries in use since the 1970s.
“In the old days, we used a large incision and the patient needed months and months of rehab,” Dr. Brown says. “These days we do the surgery with a microscope. We use a small incision; we sneak in between the ribs and go around the lob of the lung; then underneath the aorta -- a blood vessel as big as a garden hose.”
A herniated disc in the thoracic spine can be extremely serious. In some cases, the first sign of the herniated disc is paralysis below the waist. Fortunately, herniated discs in the middle of the spine are not nearly as common as they are in the lumbar or lower spine.
Dr. Brown has performed more than 100 transthoracic microdiscectomies. This time he utilized a general surgeon from Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and his Physician Assistant Sarah Watson. Using a team approach reduced the surgery time. She was out of surgery in less than 75 minutes. “In this surgery I was flying first class because of Sarah and the talents of the general surgery department at Charlotte,” Dr. Brown says.
Surgery Basics
To remove the herniated disc, the surgeons had to first remove a portion of her eighth rib. When a disc herniates it invades space the spinal cord needs, causing pressure on the cord and pain. The disc must be immobilized to prevent it from herniating again. That’s done by fusing the vertebra on either side of the bad disc. This feat was accomplished with the freed portion of the eighth rib. Because there’s very little motion in this portion of the spine, the patient never feels any loss of movement.
“When I woke up from surgery,” she says, “I didn’t have any more pain in my legs or numbness or heaviness. That was amazing because I’d had that pain for so long.”
“This is a minimally invasive procedure with rapid healing. She didn’t need any blood transfusions, the risks are much smaller and there’s virtually no risk of paralysis,” says Dr. Brown. More conventional thoracic surgery requires two or three blood transfusions and at least two weeks in the hospital, including intensive care for the first week.
When contrasting this new surgery with earlier, more invasive spinal surgery options, Dr. Brown draws an analogy with the advancements in heart surgery.
Minimizing Risk To The Heart And Lungs
“Years ago, cardiac surgeons had to completely open the rib cage,” he explains. “Today they operate on the heart through a hole no bigger than a parfait glass. The micro surgery performed is like operating in the bottom of the parfait glass. You have a tunnel and the problem you’re fixing is at the bottom of that tunnel. It’s a method that saves us from endangering the heart, lungs and the great blood vessels.”
Not everyone with severe middle back pain is a good candidate for this surgery. Good candidates may be people with an acute loss of lower extremity (hip to toe) function or bowel and bladder dysfunction if the problem is caused by a mass pressing on the spinal cord or a fractured vertebra.
Helping Her Best Friend
About six weeks after the operation, she returned to Dr. Brown’s office. This time her visit wasn’t for herself. She convinced her best friend to visit the office with her to see if Dr. Brown could help relieve the friend’s back pain.
"I have all the faith in the world in Dr. Brown,” she says. She adds that the quality of her life has improved greatly since the CHH operation.
Teaching, Relating & Crashing Make a Physician Better
She cites at least three attributes that greatly enhanced her experience with CHH and Dr. Brown. One of Dr. Brown’s first statements impressed her. The doctor told her he would teach her about her spine so she could make her own informed decisions about treatment. He taught and she learned so well that after one recent MRI Dale correctly diagnosed a problem with her back before the physicians reviewed the MRI.
Then there was Dr. Brown’s down to earth manner. She says he relates well with patients. “I feel very comfortable with him. He explains things in terms that I can understand and he’s very genuine. He seems like someone you’ve known forever.”
She thinks Dr. Brown’s great bedside manner was strengthened by a plane crash. On July 3, 2005 at 3 p.m. Dr. Brown crashed his single-engine, two seat plane in Vermont. The engine lost power after take off and Brown suffered lung, leg and other injuries.
“He could have safely landed in a field, but he saw there were farmers working in that field. He chose to save the farmers’ lives by crashing into a tree instead. That tells you what type of person he is. He’s experienced pain, he’s experienced surgeries and he’s knows what patients go through.”
For more information, contact Cameron D. Brown, MD, who practices with Mitchell S. Garden, MD, at Associated Litchfield County Orthopedics, 780 Litchfiled Street, Torrington, CT. The practice specializes in neck and back pain, disk replacements, minimally invasive spine surgery and compression fractures.
Cameron D. Brown, MD, was educated at Cambridge University, Cambridge, England, earned his medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, and was a Spinal Fellow at the prestigious Rothman Institute, Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Brown is board certified in orthopedic surgery and is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Scoliosis Research Society, and the Cervical Spine Research Society. For more information or to make an appointment, call 860-350-9000.
The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109 bed, general acute care hospital located in Torrington, Connecticut, that serves as a regional health care resource for 100,000 residents of Litchfield County and Northwest Connecticut. For more information, visit www.charlottehungerford.org.
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Hungerford Diabetes Center Receives $500 Gift From Harwinton Lions Club
 At what has become an annual tradition of giving, The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital’s Hungerford Diabetes Center has received a $500 donation from The Harwinton Lions Club to assist with funding for their Diabetes Boot Camp.
“We are extremely grateful to the Harwinton Lion’s Club for assisting us in making this innovative new program available to Diabetes patients in our community. Our program allows us to help patients and their families better manage Diabetes and make healthy lifestyle choices.” said Lois Pelletier, RNCDE, and Program Coordinator of the Hungerford Diabetes Center.
The objective of the Boot Camp is to educate and motivate persons with Diabetes in a "real life setting" to help improve their Glucose control and gain a better understanding and management of Diabetes. This intensive, highly programmed, three-day weekend retreat was held at Litchfield’s Wisdom House Retreat Center and featured a series of lectures, equipment demonstrations, interactive group sessions, Glucose monitoring, and the development of individualized exercise and meal plans.
Incoming President Joseph Kwashnak and Past President David Neri presented the Center with the donation. Lions Club International (LCI) established a Diabetes Awareness Program to assist local Lions Clubs in conducting and supporting local and large-scale efforts leading to the control and treatment of diabetes and its complications through education, prevention, and research. Lions have worked with community healthcare organizations to provide diabetes screenings, educational programs and funding, camps, and other assistance to people with diabetes. LCI is working to make a difference in diabetes prevention and control and raise the public’s awareness of this growing world epidemic.
The Hungerford Diabetes Center at the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a team of professionals specifically trained to help people with diabetes learn how to reduce diabetes-related complications and maintain better health. The multidisciplinary team includes an Endocrinologist, a Nurse Practitioner, Certified Diabetes Educator, a Registered Dietician, and a Social Worker. For more information, call 496-0661.
The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109 bed, general acute care nonprofit organization located in Torrington, CT, serving thirteen towns and 10,000 persons in Northwest Connecticut.
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9th Annual CHH Golf Tournament Raises $82,000 Proceeds To Benefit NWCT Medical Walk-In Center
 The results are in, and The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital’s 9th Annual Golf Classic raised $82,300 at this year’s tournament which took place on June 7th at The Torrington Country Club in Goshen. The tournament, co-sponsored by Campion Ambulance and Union Savings Bank, hosted 140 golfers consisting of donors, supporters and business associates from around the state.
The Golf Classic is an instrumental part of Charlotte Hungerford’s fundraising efforts, and continues the tradition of community service by honoring a former long-term staff member and past president, Robert Summa. The “Summa Cup” is annually presented to the winning golf team.
The Hospital was pleased to host celebrity participant, KC Jones. Jones is a popular long time player and coach of the Boston Celtics and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989. Other highlights of the day included a Hole-in-one challenge, sponsored by Mitchell Volvo, putting contest, longest drive challenge and raffle drawing, featuring a set of Cleveland golf clubs and bag as the grand prize.
Proceeds from this year’s tournament will be used to upgrade the X-ray imaging system at Charlotte Hungerford’s Northwest Medical Walk-In Center. Medical Director of the Walk-In Center and tournament co-chair, Roberta Meltzer, MD, was pleased to accept the Golf Classic funds. “These proceeds will be instrumental in allowing us to purchase the new digital x-ray. This will provide us with enhanced electronic images and will allow physicians to have faster and better access to patient x-rays resulting in improved patient care.”
The Northwest Medical Walk-In Center provides convenient, professional treatment for a full range of non-urgent illnesses and injuries seven days a week. Its physicians and clinical staff offer timely evaluation and treatment, supported by advanced diagnostic X-ray, EKG and laboratory services. For more information about services provided at The Walk-In Center, please call (860) 489-8444.
The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109-bed, general acute care hospital located in Torrington, Connecticut, that serves as a regional health care resource for 100,000 residents of Litchfield County and Northwest Connecticut. Visit www.charlottehungerford.org.
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18th Annual Cancer Survivors Day Celebrated with Laughter
 The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital’s Center for Cancer Care annual celebration of Cancer Survivors Day was held on Sunday, June 6th. P’Sam’s Restaurant at Eastwoods Country Club was alive with music, camaraderie, hope and laughter as area cancer survivors and their families celebrated and honored those living with and beyond cancer.
“Each year we all come together to think about the challenges and triumphs of cancer survivors. It is great to be a part of this and listen to their stories while experiencing their positive energy.” said Ellen Ebbs, Executive Director of The Center for Cancer Care Fund, Inc.
Over 100 cancer survivors and family members attended this annual event sponsored by The Center for Cancer Care Fund, Inc. It featured brunch, music provided by Drew Chadwick, and professional portrait photography. This year’s keynote speaker was University of Connecticut professor of feminist theory, national columnist, speaker and humorist Gina Barreca.
Ms. Barreca told humorous stories and reflections of family members and friends and their experiences of how they dealt with cancer and survivorship. Dubbed “The funniest woman writer in America”, she is a prolific author of the best seller “They Used to Call Me Snow White, but I Drifted” and numerous short essays.
Cancer Survivors Day is coordinated by a dedicated group of volunteers from The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Connecticut Oncology and Hematology Associates, the American Cancer Society and area cancer survivors. The event has grown since 1993 from a very small ceremony to this celebratory event involving over 200 survivors. Torrington joins more than 700 communities around the world in celebrating life as part of National Survivor’s Day.
The Center for Cancer Care is an affiliation of The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and Connecticut Oncology and Hematology Associates offering comprehensive cancer care services including radiation therapy, medical oncology and chemotherapy, massage, art, yoga and other complementary programs. The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109-bed, general acute care non-profit Hospital located in Torrington, CT, serving fifteen towns in northwest Connecticut.
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Charlotte Hungerford Hospital To Celebrate Earth Day with Activities and Special Sales
 The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital will be commemorating the historic 40th Anniversary of Global Earth Day with activities and special sales on Thursday, April 22, in the hospital cafeteria. This public is invited to stop and enjoy the festivities with hospital staff from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and learn ways everyone can adopt a green lifestyle.
The event is sponsored by the hospital’s “Green Team”, a group of staff members that share a desire and commitment to making CHH a leader in protecting and conserving natural resources while remaining fiscally responsible and committed to patient safety and comfort.
The day’s festivities will include:
• White Lily bulb and Jasmine indoor plant sale sponsored by White Flower Farm to benefit the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Auxiliary.
• Veridian Responsible Energy/Flowerpower representative offering alternative energy options. Bring your electric bill for a free savings analysis.
• CHH Gift Shop special sale featuring earth friendly items and gifts for sale.
• Dsplays and information on the hospital’s conservation efforts and ways everyone help.
• Secial Earth Day menu items available for purchase at the CHH Café.
• All attendees are eligible to win a special door prize - movie four-pack to Disney’s new upcoming motion picture “Oceans”.
The green revolution is alive and well at CHH thanks to many dedicated employees, environmentally conscious team members represent areas of the hospital and off-site facilities including purchasing, nursing, behavioral health and community relations. Team members meet monthly to assess, plan and implement eco-friendly practices to help improve resource consumption and eliminate waste. They also ensure CHH is compliant with stage recycling mandates, work with vendors and educate employees on important green-related issues. The team was created after an employee perception survey indicated many staff members wished to adopt more centralized recycling and conservation methods.
“We are taking baby steps that are adding up to become important contributions to sustaining the environment in our area while providing us valuable cost savings,” said Green Team Chair Debra Olson, R.N., B.S.N, M.S.
Morrison Healthcare Food Services, the hospital’s food provider, is equally committed to the cause and has adopted many environmentally sound practices. In the CHH cafeteria, no trans fats, enhanced beef or milk are used. Morrison uses local and state produce, sustainable seafood, cage-free eggs and free-range chicken. Recently, new “GreenWare” cups and bowls made from biodegradable, compostable materials have replaced Styrofoam where possible. The use of permanent ware and china also is being encouraged as a first option when eating in the cafeteria.
The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109-bed, general acute care non-profit organization located in Torrington, CT, serving 13 towns and 100,000 persons in northwest Connecticut.
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CHH Surgical Services Conducts Walk-A-Thon
Staff And Physicians Raise $1,550 For Local Cancer Center
 Over 35 participants at The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital took a hypothetical walking trip south to New Orleans this past winter raising $1,550 to benefit Torrington’s Center For Cancer Care. Physicians and Surgical Services Department staff members formed teams of seven people each with a goal of walking or running 1,426 miles for each team, the amount of miles it is from Torrington to New Orleans, Louisiana.
Team members included nurses, administrators, physicians, and technicians who pledged ten cents per mile to participate and complete their journey. The teams had special T-shirts made, and tracked their progress on a large map of the United States. They competed for top honors and received donated prizes that were awarded at a “Marti Gras” themed completion celebration on April 8th.
OR Nurse Tammy Arel conceived of the idea and proposed it to her co-workers as a way to challenge themselves, get some exercise, and support a local community resource. “This competition was a way for all of us within our department to come together and stay active during the winter months. It was also an opportunity to raise money for a great cause.” she added.
The donation will benefit The Center For Cancer Care Fund, Inc., a local non-profit organization that provides financial assistance to people battling cancer, and gives assistance for unexpected emergencies for cancer patients for which there are no immediate resources. For example, funds may be allocated for food, transportation, utility bills and medications that are not covered by insurance.
Ellen Ebbs, Executive Director at The Center For Cancer Care Fund, Inc., in Torrington accepted the donation with thanks and praise for all the team members. “We truly appreciate everyone who participated and made donations to this unique event. It was clear to see they had fun and got some good exercise too!” She added.
The Center for Cancer Care is an affiliation of The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and Connecticut Oncology and Hematology Associates. The Center offers comprehensive cancer care services including radiation therapy, medical oncology, chemotherapy and other complimentary therapies.
The Charlotte Hungerford Hospital is a 109 bed, general acute care hospital located in Torrington, Connecticut, serving a twelve-town primary service area comprised of approximately 100,000 persons. The Hospital also serves as a regional health care resource for the residents of Litchfield County, situated in Northwestern Connecticut. Visit www.charlottehungerford.org
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