Ground-breaking surgery performed at Littauer

Ground-breaking surgery performed at Littauer

Ground-breaking surgery performed at Littauer

Dr. Jian Shen performs area’s first Endoscopic Cervical Spine Surgery

Gloversville, NY — At approximately 1p.m. Friday, August 5, 2011 Dr. Jian Shen, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in complex spine care, practicing at Nathan Littauer Hospital, completed the first Endoscopic Cervical Spine Surgery in our area. The patient suffers from a rare spine disease. “The patient reports they already feel a difference from surgery.” said Dr. Shen. The doctor added, “Although it is early in the recovery process, the patient already has improved range of motion”. The patient was released today.

Dr. Jian Shen at Nathan Littauer Hospital

Dr. Jian Shen at Nathan Littauer Hospital with the equipment he used for his ground-breaking surgery

Hospital President and CEO Laurence E. Kelly stated, “San Francisco, Chicago, Texas and now Gloversville, NY!” Mr. Kelly explained, “According to our research only a few academic centers in the United States perform this type of surgery.” Mr. Kelly added, “Obviously we are thrilled for this patient and for others in our region who suffer with spine problems.”

Endoscopic techniques permit smaller incisions, with less muscle damage and less irritation to the nerve root. The resulting loss in muscle strength is also considerably less with endoscopic techniques. “Nationwide there is an increasing demand for minimally invasive, less traumatic techniques. Because of Dr. Shen we can now meet that demand right here in Fulton County.” hospital spokesperson Cheryl McGrattan said. “The patient’s incision was approximately 2 centimeters. The equipment used in this surgery offers the doctor a better view of the spine than traditional techniques.”

The family is grateful to Dr. Shen explaining, “We have waited for Dr. Shen to come here. We are very pleased to be in his care.”

Minutes after the ground-breaking surgery, the surgery team marks the occasion. From left to right: Pam Dutcher, RN, Dr. Jain Shen, Jacob Dutcher, CRNA.

Minutes after the ground-breaking surgery, the surgery team marks the occasion. From left to right: Pam Dutcher, RN, Dr. Jain Shen, Jacob Dutcher, CRNA.

Dr. Shen started practicing at Littauer a few days ago having arrived from the University of San Francisco. Dr. Shen is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in complete spine care. “Surgery is not indicated for every spine problem. Dr. Shen also uses non-surgical techniques to get results” said Ms. McGrattan. After the surgery Dr. Shen concluded, “I cannot say enough good things about Nathan Littauer. From the surgical team to the recovery room staff to the nursing team- they are all top notch.” Mr. Kelly agrees, explaining “I am so proud of our staff at Littauer. They have gladly learned cutting-edge techniques to support Dr. Shen as he makes history in our region.”

Dr. Shen reviews images from the surgery

Dr. Shen reviews images from the surgery

To learn more about this procedure and Dr. Shen, please visit www.nlh.org or follow us on Facebook.

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LITTAUER WELCOMES DR. JIAN SHEN

Fellowship-trained Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Jian Shen joins Littauer

San Francisco physician brings minimally-invasive spine surgery to area

Dr. Jian Shen at Nathan Littauer

Dr. Jian Shen at Nathan Littauer

Nathan Littauer Hospital is pleased to welcome Jian Shen, MD, PhD to their medical staff. Dr. Shen is practicing with Dr. Russell Cecil and Dr. Gerald Ortiz at Littauer’s new Johnstown Surgery Center. “This is a major announcement for our region.” stated Wally Hart, President of the Fulton County Chamber of Commerce who met Dr. Shen at a recent reception. He added, “It means a lot to our region to have this cutting-edge expertise here.” Laurence E. Kelly Littauer’s President and CEO agreed noting, “Dr. Shen could have chosen to practice anywhere in the country. And he is coming directly from the University here to our community.” He added, “To have him treating people at Littauer is an enormous boon to the people who suffer with pain in our region.” Dr. Shen arrived a few days ago from the University of San Francisco. He explained his reason to come here as, “I chose to practice here because I want to bring cutting-edge spine care from big academic centers to this community.” He added, “I am very happy with the choice I made, I feel like I can do more here.” He added, “The staff at Littauer is top-notch.”

Dr. Shen offers complete spine care

Dr. Shen offers complete spine care

Dr. Shen offers complete spine care to people who suffer with spine problems. He is versed in minimally-invasive and complex spine surgery. He has already completed New York State’s first Endoscopic Cervical Sine Surgery at Littauer. As an orthopedic surgeon, he is well-versed in non operative (including spinal injections) and operative treatment of all spine conditions for people of all ages. He also can address back pain, neck pain, sciatica, leg, shoulder and arm pain caused by spine problems. While surgery is not indicated for every patient, Dr. Shen is also able to provide non-surgical therapies as well. He explained, “If I can get the patient better using non-surgical techniques like ESI (Epidural Spine Injections) or physical therapy I am very happy.”

Dr. Shen’s main expertise has been on minimally invasive decompression/fusion surgery, as well as complex deformity/scoliosis and revision spine surgery. Minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery is a technique that allows the surgeon to perform an operation that normally is done via a large midline incision. This type of surgery uses a much smaller incision, allowing for significantly less tissue damage and quicker recovery.

“He has a stellar background.” stated Hospital Spokesperson Cheryl McGrattan. After getting a PhD in basic science research in Pharmacology, Dr. Shen went on and finished his medical school education at Cornell University Medical College in New York City, New York. After a surgical internship at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, he completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Shen went on to finish a spine surgery fellowship from 2010 to 2011 at UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco, California. He also has earned many accolades including: The Gold Medal, Residents’ and Fellows’ Research Day, Wake Forest University Medical Center, The Basil M. Boyd, MD Memorial Resident Award, 24th Annual Oscar Miller Day Symposium the Katherine Wolcott Walker Resident Research Award, Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF) and the Academic Achievement Award, Wake Forest University Medical Center among others. In the coming years, Dr. Shen hopes to create a Spine Center of Excellence in the Adirondacks.

Dr. Shen speaks to Fulton County President, Wally Hart at a Littauer reception

Dr. Shen speaks to Fulton County President, Wally Hart at a Littauer reception

Hospital staff, board members and community members met Dr. Shen on Monday August 1, 2011 at a special reception. “Many people are commenting on how personable he is.” said Ms. McGrattan. One Littauer staff person said upon meeting him, “What a brilliant man. He is the type of man I could listen to for hours. He truly knows his stuff! Very personable and an awesome asset to our hospital family!” Patients agree. A trauma patient who broke a vertebra in a recent car accident saw Dr. Shen this week and reported, “He was a very caring physician who was very empathetic to what I was going through.”

Dr. Shen explains that one of his reasons he came to this area is because his goal is to “interact personally with each patient, so they do not feel like a number”. He said, “Practicing at Littauer allows me to do that. I cannot say enough good things about the staff at Littauer.” He concluded, “I want to practice traditional medicine- where the patient receives individualized care and gets my full attention. Yet, I can use cutting-edge technologies to treat all their spinal conditions.” Laurence E. Kelly states, “With Dr. Shen’s arrival, we now say, ‘Spines everywhere can rejoice’”.

The hospital plans several outreach activities in the coming months. Patients who are experiencing spine problems are encouraged to contact his office at 773-4242. Further information can also be found at www.nlh.org.