The Surgical Services staff understands that any type of surgery can cause anxiety, so we work closely with our patients and their families to provide comfort and reassurance during their stay. This includes educational information about what to expect before, during, and after surgery. Educational resources can take the form of one-on-one counseling, written materials and our on-demand patient education video system available in each patient's room.

Inpatient surgery
Inpatient surgery requires an overnight stay in our facility. This type of surgery is generally scheduled on weekdays in one of our nine high-tech surgical suites. Saint Agnes also has fully staffed, 24-hour surgical capabilities on weekends when necessary. Inpatient surgery services includes a large pre-operative room, 10 surgical suites, a pharmacy, laboratory, and post-surgical recovery area.

Outpatient surgery
Many times, technology and training allow us to perform surgeries on an outpatient basis, allowing the patient to recover faster and with less pain. These types of procedures do not require an overnight stay. Our outpatient surgery includes an eight-bed pre-op area, five surgical suites, a 13-bed post-anesthesia recovery area, and a step-down recovery area with eight recliners.

To find out if Medicare covers a particular service or procedure, use this link to visit their Web site search tool, Your Medicare Coverage.
 

Types of Surgery

Abdominal surgery

• cholecystectomy
• gastrointestinal surgery
• appendectomy (some appendectomies can be performed laparoscopically)
• hernia repair

Breast surgery

• mastectomy
• breast reduction
• augmentation

Cardiovascular Surgery 
Saint Agnes has been named a Top 100 Cardiovascular Hospital in America twice in three years (1999 and 2001).  Also named a Consumer Choice Award winner by the National Research Corporation for the 14th year in a row, Saint Agnes was recently rated 5-stars by HealthGrades for treatment of heart attack. 

In November 2001, Saint Agnes became the first hospital on the West Coast to use the daVinci surgical robot in a coronary artery bypass operation. In September 2002, Saint Agnes became the first West Coast hospital (and only the third in the nation) to use robotic surgery for a Total Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass (TECAB) operation. Intuitive, Inc., manufacturer of the daVinci surgical robot, also invited Saint Agnes to be their exclusive cardiac clinical trial center for the Central Valley. 

A few of the cardiovascular procedures performed by Saint Agnes surgeons include:

• open heart surgery (bypass and heart valves)
• abdominal aortic aneurysm
• carotid endarterectomy
• femoral-popiteal bypass

Ear, nose and throat
The senses associated with ENT surgeries are hearing, smell and taste. These types of surgeries are intended to restore or improve the senses. Depending on the procedure, these may be performed on an inpatient or outpatient basis.

Gynecological surgery
These procedures, including hysterectomies and hysteroscopies, are performed on the structures of the female reproductive system for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.

Laparoscopic surgery
Modern technology allows surgeons to view internal organs through a microscopic camera inserted into the body using scopes. These procedures are called "minimally invasive" because they require only tiny incisions to introduce surgical equipment into the body. These procedures are typically performed with less pain and faster recovery times than traditional surgical techniques. 

Neurosurgery
The nervous system is the most complex body system and comprises the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (cranial and spinal nerves). Some of the neurosurgical procedures and specialties available at Saint Agnes include:

• image-guided navigator
• craniotomy 
• pain management
• spinal cord stimulator
• shunts
• laminectomy and fusions (back and cervical)
• stereotactic surgery

Ophthalmology
The California Eye Institute at Saint Agnes CEI) is a medically advanced joint venture between prestigious Fresno area doctors and Saint Agnes Medical Center. The 50,000-square-foot outpatient center is home to the Valley’s largest team of eye MDs and specialists from every field of ophthalmology.

Using the nation’s most advanced techniques and equipment, CEI provides a full range of eye care services – from general eye exams to sight-restoring surgeries – with treatments customized to our patients’ individual needs. CEI is also a leading center for clinical research – one of just a handful in the nation qualified to perform clinical investigative studies and trials for new medicines and surgical procedures.

Orthopaedic Surgery
Our orthopaedics program offers a coordinated team approach to treatment, including group exercise therapy for total joint replacements and patient follow-up after leaving the hospital. Part of our commitment shows in our investment in the best diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic equipment and state-of-the-art surgical suites. As a testament to patient satisfaction, many of our patients refer their friends and family. Some of the orthopaedic surgeries performed include:

• total joint replacement surgery (hip, knee, shoulder)
• arthroscopic surgery (knee, shoulder, usually on an outpatient basis)
• laminectomy, fusion (back and cervical)

Plastic surgery
This branch of surgery focuses on restoring normal appearance and function, as well as enhancing cosmetic improvements. Some of the procedures include tendon nerve artery repair, abdominal flap, abdominal lipectomy, and breast augmentation/reduction.

Thoracic surgery
In the last 50 years, thoracic surgery has grown to include infectious disease, trauma, and oncology. As the ability to treat lung diseases has improved, the length and quality of life have improved for patients suffering from lung and associated disease. Saint Agnes has performed more thoracic surgical cases than any other Central Valley healthcare facility. Some types of thoracic surgeries include lobectomy, thoracotomy, and lung biopsy.

Urology (genitourinary) surgery
Major genitourinary surgery advances have been developed over the past decade, including the use of lasers, lithotriptors and laparoscopic instrumentation. These developments have led to more innovative diagnostic measures and more complex and precise surgical procedures such as prostatectomy and penile implants.