Specialty neurosurgeon, hybrid surgical suite offer region unprecedented care

Recently, Saint Francis Medical Center brought to the region vascular and endovascular neurosurgeon Louis P. Caragine Jr., MD, PhD one of only about 60 physicians in the U.S. skilled in both open brain surgery and endovascular procedures.

Endovascular neurosurgery is minimally invasive surgery on the brain or spine performed through a catheter in the groin. It is useful for a variety of complex disorders, like stroke, vascular tumors, brain aneurysms and conditions affecting blood vessels.

Because these highly specialized procedures often need to be converted to open surgeries, Saint Francis is building the region's first hybrid surgical suite dedicated to endovascular neurosurgery. "A hybrid endovascular suite offers both endovascular equipment and traditional open surgery equipment in one room, providing the most efficient and safest environment for a patient's surgical care," says Caragine. "It is safer for the patient because it provides all of the resources of an operating room, should we need to convert the procedure to an open case."

If you or a loved one faces neurological problems of the brain, spine or blood vessels that require surgery, talk with your primary care physician or neurologist about a referral to Caragine's practice, Cape Cerebrovascular & Endovascular Neurosurgery, or call 573-331-5487.