Questions and Answers from Dr. Hoover

I called Dr. Hoover today...

1. Does Dr. Hoover Wipple do procedure or supervise?

has done 7 in last 4 months; 60-70s y.o.; 4-5 hours; he does it but supervises team

2. How many has LVH done in last 12 months?

15 -20 /year (I saw data that showed 10 per year for 2001)

3. What is surgical mortality/morbidity rate for this at LVH?

Mortality rate < 5%
No mortality for "quite a while"
Morbidity 1 pulmonary embolism and died day he went home
Recent complication; pancreatic fistula required drain

4. What was the age of the oldest pt?

79 or 80

5. Routine IV antibiotics? TPN?

No IV drip; No TPN;
Enteral nutrition by intestinal feeding tube to bypass all surgical areas
Chemo and radiation followup post op perhaps; tumor board would decide if warranted

6. Estimate of length of hospital stay?

6-7 days stay and w/ feeding tube
Eating by 4 or 5 days

7. Does insurance pay?

Medicare YES

Notes:
Dad is to be scheduled for stress test next week.
Dad is scheduled to see Hoover and Kleaveland on 10/29.
Hoover scheduled Dad for possible surgery on "either 10/31 or 11/4" pending clearance from medical doc (Sciala?) and cardiologist (Kleaveland).
Kleaveland will need results of stress test.
I will contact Sciala.
- posted by Rodney B. Murray, PhD @ 5:03 PM