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Leading Thoracic and Vascular Surgeon Joins Sutter Tracy
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June 2004
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TRACY, CA – Sutter Tracy Community Hospital recently recruited its second expert in thoracoscopic surgery, a high-tech procedure used to treat a variety of thoracic (chest) problems with less pain and faster recovery times than traditional surgery. Board certified in cardiothoracic and general surgery, John Talieh, MD, uses this minimally invasive procedure to treat emphysema, lung cancer, excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), and esophageal reflux disease. He also performs vascular surgery to treat varicose veins and other circulatory problems.
"Dr. Talieh is one of only two physicians in the Tracy area performing this state-of-the-art procedure. It’s the type of complex surgery usually done at Stanford and other university hospitals," said Sutter Tracy CEO Gary Rapaport.
"It’s quite an accomplishment to attract a physician of Dr. Talieh’s caliber and to be able to offer the community such advanced services close to home."
Thoracoscopic surgery uses a special camera called a thorascope to view damaged blood vessels, lungs, and other organs inside the chest cavity. The thorascope and special surgical instruments used to repair or remove the damaged areas are inserted into the chest cavity through two or three tiny incisions. Because the surgery is less traumatic and invasive than traditional surgery, patients experience less pain, faster recovery times, and shorter or no hospital stays. There are also fewer complications and less damage to the surrounding tissues.
"Thorascopic surgery is perfect for people with emphysema who are too weak for major surgery," said Dr. Talieh. "It enables me to remove the bad part of the lung through a small incision. This helps the patient breath better, and recovery only takes a week or two. I can use the same procedure to do biopsies and remove tumors on the lungs."
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Dr. Talieh is also the only physician in Northern California using thoracoscopic surgery to treat excessively sweaty hands, feet, and underarms. During the short procedure, he clips the nerves leading to the sweat glands and this stops the problem. Most patients go home the same evening or the next morning and are back at work within a few days. Before Dr. Talieh arrived, many Tracy residents would travel all the way to Los Angeles for this particular surgery.
"I’ve had patients who leave puddles on the floor and have to change their shirts several times a day because they sweat so much," said Dr. Talieh. "The procedure really changes their life for the better. Best of all it is permanent, unlike botox, which only offers a temporary and much less effective solution."
In addition to his practice in Tracy, Dr. Talieh works as a cardiothoracic surgeon at Sutter Health’s Memorial Hospital and at Doctor’s Medical Center in Modesto. He graduated from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston and did his general surgery residency at the University of Nevada. He also did a special residency in pediatric cardiothoracic (heart and chest) surgery at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago and a cardiothoracic surgery residency at the University of Wisconsin.
"I’m very excited to be working in Tracy," said Dr. Talieh. "The hospital has excellent facilities and an outstanding medical staff. The equipment and level of expertise here is on par with larger hospitals typically found only in big cities."
Dr. Talieh is currently sharing an office with cardiothoracic surgeon Shahnroukh Bakhshay, MD, who also performs thoracoscopic at Sutter Tracy. Dr. Talieh can be reached at 209-522-0600.
Sutter Tracy Community Hospital is a full-service, acute care hospital that offers a wide array of inpatient and outpatient services. Founded in 1948 by a group of community residents and business members, the Hospital became an affiliate of Sutter Health in 1993. Sutter Health is a family of not-for-profit hospitals and physician organizations that share resources and expertise to advance health care quality. Serving more than 100 communities in Northern California, Sutter Health is a regional leader in cardiac care, cancer treatment, orthopedics, and newborn intensive care, and is a pioneer in advanced patient safety technology. Visit us on the web at www.suttertracy.org.
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