Advanced surgical options at St. Joseph’s/Candler
At St. Joseph’s/Candler, our commitment to excellence ensures that patients receive quality care in a patient — and family-centered environment. In addition to general surgery, ENT, plastic surgery, robotic surgery and gastroenterology surgical services, both St. Joseph’s Hospital and Candler Hospital have unique surgical centers of excellence with advanced, high tech services for complex cardiovascular, cardiothoracic, neurosurgical and oncological surgeries. For those closer to Pooler, we also offer outpatient surgical services at the St. Joseph’s/Candler Pooler Campus.
Minimally-invasive surgery
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) refers to procedures performed through small incisions using specialized instruments and advanced imaging technology. Compared to traditional open surgeries, MIS results in less pain, reduced scarring, shorter recovery times and a lower risk of complications. At St. Joseph’s/Candler, we invest in the latest advancements in minimally invasive techniques to enhance patient outcomes.
Examples of these procedures include laparoscopic surgery, which involves the use of a thin, flexible tube with a camera and light (laparoscope) inserted through a small incision to allow surgeons to operate with minimal disruption to surrounding tissues. Another example is robotic surgery, where a surgeon uses robotic arms controlled by a console to perform precise movements that would be difficult with human hands alone. Balloon sinuplasty, a procedure used to treat chronic sinusitis, involves the insertion of a small, inflatable balloon into blocked nasal passages to restore normal sinus drainage.
da Vinci Robotic Surgery
The da Vinci Robotic Surgical System is a state-of-the-art technology that enhances the surgeon’s ability to perform complex procedures with greater precision and control. Unlike traditional laparoscopic surgery, the da Vinci system offers a high-definition, three-dimensional view while allowing for a wider range of motion than the human hand. This system consists of a patient cart where robotic arms operate under the surgeon's control, a vision cart for enhanced imaging and a surgeon console where the doctor manipulates the robotic instruments.
As the most experienced robotic surgery hospital in the Greater Savannah area with six robots available and three locations, our surgical team has performed thousands of successful robotic-assisted procedures. Our surgical team boasts the highest number of certified robotically trained staff in the region. The da Vinci Surgical System is used for procedures such as gallbladder removal, hernia repair, various surgical oncology procedures, gynecological surgery, urological procedures and more. The system is also utilized for tumor excision, ensuring precise removal while minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
Outpatient surgery
Many procedures that once required a hospital stay can now be performed as outpatient surgeries, allowing patients to return home the same day. Outpatient surgery offers numerous benefits, including reduced hospital costs, minimal disruption to daily life and faster recovery. At St. Joseph’s/Candler, we provide outpatient surgical services for procedures such as hernia repair, spinal fusions and total joint replacements to name a few.
Comprehensive surgical services at St. Joseph’s/Candler
Our facilities feature nearly 50 operating rooms and gastroenterology suites, as well as the specialized Surgical Specialty Center, which houses three dedicated surgical suites for focused procedures.
St. Joseph's Hospital specializes in procedures such as cardiothoracic surgery, which treats conditions of the heart, lungs and chest, and cardiovascular surgery, which includes interventions like coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) to improve blood flow to the heart. Neurosurgery at St. Joseph's focuses on brain and spinal disorders, including the treatment of brain tumors and spinal cord injuries. Vascular surgery addresses conditions affecting blood vessels, such as carotid artery disease, where plaque buildup is removed to prevent strokes.
Candler Hospital is recognized for its expertise in general surgery which includes such procedures as repair hernias and gallbladder removal. It also specializes in urological procedures, gynecological surgery, colorectal surgery and surgical oncology including breast, gynecological, skin, lung and other cancer sites. Dental surgery, which involves procedures like wisdom tooth extraction and corrective jaw surgery, is also a featured surgery. It also specializes in pediatric surgery, which includes corrective procedures for congenital defects and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery to treat conditions like chronic ear infections and nasal obstructions.
At our Pooler Campus, we provide general surgical procedures such as hernia repair which corrects organs/tissue that protrudes through a weakened spot in the muscle/abdomen, and gastroenterology procedures like endoscopy, where a flexible tube with a camera is inserted into the digestive tract to diagnose conditions such as ulcers and reflux disease, certain orthopedic procedures like hand/wrist or foot/ankle repair and urological procedures including kidney stone extractions/lithotripsy. Podiatry surgery is also a specialty performed at this location for various foot and ankle conditions.
Surgical Specialty Center
Located across from St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Surgical Specialty Center provides highly focused surgical care. Ophthalmic procedures, such as cataract surgery, involve the removal of a clouded lens and replacement with an artificial lens to restore vision. Pediatric Oral and/or Dental Surgery like extractions as well as plastic surgery services ranging from cosmetic procedures to reconstructive surgeries following trauma or illness are provided at this center.
Cardiovascular surgical services
The Heart Hospital at St. Joseph’s Hospital is the leading facility for cardiovascular procedures in the region. Our board-certified cardiologists and surgeons perform life-saving interventions such as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a minimally invasive procedure that replaces a narrowed aortic valve without open-heart surgery. The Heart Hospital is at the forefront of using new and emerging lifesaving technologies like the Impella device which augments the heart cardiac output, essentially pumping for the heart when it cannot do so itself. Other procedures include balloon angioplasty, where a catheter with a small balloon is used to widen narrow arteries and improve blood flow.
Pediatric surgical services
At Candler Hospital, we specialize in pediatric surgical care tailored to the unique needs of young patients. Our pediatric ENT surgeons treat conditions such as cleft lip and palate, a congenital disorder that affects a child's ability to eat and speak properly, tonsillitis and adenoiditis, as well as ear tubes for chronic infections. Pediatric orthopedic surgery is also offered for conditions such as scoliosis, where a curved spine requires correction to prevent further complications.
Neurosurgery
St. Joseph’s Hospital features dedicated neurosurgery operating rooms staffed by highly skilled neurosurgeons and specialized nurses. Our expertise includes treating brain aneurysms, which occur when a weakened blood vessel in the brain bulges and may rupture, leading to life-threatening complications. Stroke interventions, including clot removal and artery repair, are also performed using advanced surgical techniques.
Vascular surgery
At The Heart Hospital, we offer advanced treatment options for vascular disease in state-of-the-art surgical suites. Carotid artery stenting keeps narrowed arteries open and reduces stroke risk, while procedures like endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) use minimally invasive techniques to reinforce weakened blood vessels and prevent rupture. Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) is also a minimally invasive surgery performed that treats carotid artery diseases.
Women’s surgical services
The Mary Telfair Women’s Hospital at St. Joseph’s/Candler is the region’s leader in surgical services designed specifically for women. Our integrated operating rooms are equipped with the latest technology for procedures to treat conditions like fibroids and endometriosis. We also offer advanced treatments like 3D laparoscopy, which provides a more detailed view of internal organs for better precision in gynecological surgeries and uro-gynecological surgeries. For women in labor who may require surgical intervention (like a C-Section), there are two dedicated operating rooms located on the Mother Baby floor.
Excellence in surgical care
At St. Joseph’s/Candler, we deliver expert surgical care focused on innovation and our patients’ safety. Across a wide range of specialties, our surgeons combine cutting-edge technology with decades of experience to ensure the best possible recovery outcomes for every patient. We understand that surgery can be a significant moment in your life, and we are here to provide the highest level of expertise and the reassurance you need throughout your experience. From pre-operative consultations to your discharge conversation, we prioritize your comfort and long-term well-being. At St. Joseph’s/Candler, your health is in the hands of skilled professionals who care deeply about your recovery and overall success.