Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center helps Vietnam veteran avert cancer

Vietnam veteran Felix Pia has averted cancer with help from the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center.

Pia discovered he had a large rectal polyp very high in his upper rectum after a routine colonoscopy procedure. After several unsuccessful attempts to remove it using conventional colonoscopy, Pia was referred to Avo Artinyan, M.D., M.S., Operative Care Line staff surgeon, for a second opinion. Artinyan offered him this alternate procedure.

"This new technique is similar to the conventional TEM operation where a small portion of the rectum is removed endoscopically; however, we used a newer platform that makes the surgery easier for patients," said Artinyan, according to a press release. "Mr. Pia's case pushed the limits of this procedure, but we were willing to perform it because I believed this course of action might spare him unnecessary treatment."

The announcement was made Tuesday, Feb. 5.

Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston serves as the primary health care provider for more than 130000 veterans in southeast Texas with a staff of nearly 3900 health care professionals. Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is located on a 118-acre campus that was built in 1991. It is a state-of-the-art facility with 580 beds including 359 acute care beds a 40-bed spinal cord injury center and a 141-bed community living center. The medical center also has a 40-bed domiciliary residence for homeless veterans. The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center features an automated computer-controlled transport system that delivers food laundry and supplies throughout the six-story granite building which is designed with four exterior sections and four atriums that contain patio gardens wheelchair basketball court and a rehabilitation pool. The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center is a research facility with 643 active projects supported with more than $26.8 million annually and a teaching hospital through a partnership with Baylor College of Medicine.

For more information, call 713-794-7349.