Crosby, Minn. (May 13, 2004) – People suffering from moderate to severe hemorrhoids will recover faster and feel less pain when treated with a new surgical procedure being performed at the Minnesota Institute for Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIMIS) at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center on the Medical Campus in Crosby, Minn.

The procedure, PPH (Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids), is done in approximately 20 minutes.According to Dr. Paul Severson, LaparoEndoscopic Surgeon and co-director of MIMIS, most patients go home the same day and can return to normal activities in two to four days.By contrast, traditional hemorrhoid surgery can require several days in the hospital and up to six weeks recovery time.

Surgeons performing PPH use a circular stapler to remove hemorrhoidal tissue.The remaining tissue is then stapled back into its original position within the rectal lining, restoring the normal anatomy of the anal canal. There is usually less pain because, unlike traditional hemorrhoid procedures, PPH is performed above the anus – in an area that has fewer nerve endings.“It’s a good procedure for moderate internal hemorrhoids, but severe hemorrhoids may still require traditional surgery,” says MIMIS LaparoEndoscopic Surgeon Dr. Timothy LeMieur. “It’s also beneficial in shrinking external hemorrhoids.”

In September 2003, The Board of Directors of the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (CRMC) approved the formation of MIMIS. Over the last decade CRMC has made a multi-million dollar investment in equipment, buildings and staffing to expand its capabilities in minimally invasive surgical procedures.This work led to the formation of MIMIS and the beginning of the next phase of a long-term initiative by CRMC to use the least invasive surgical methods possible and also to help pioneer other advancements in this area of medicine.More than 100 different minimally invasive laparoendoscopic, orthopedic and opthalmalogical surgical procedures are routinely performed at MIMIS in Crosby.

The CRMC campus is also home to the Central Lakes Medical Clinic and the Crosby Eye Clinic.Combined, CRMC has a staff of more than 40 physicians and surgeons and employs more than 700 medical professionals and administrative staff.The Cuyuna Regional Medical Center is a public district healthcare facility serving 17 communities in Crow Wing County.It was founded in 1964.

Press Contacts:
Theresa Sullivan, CRMC
(218) 546-4354
Pete Stoddart
651-251-2140