Carol Custodio, Daytona Beach, FL

Radical Surgery Puts Patient on Fast Road to Recovery

Last year, Carol Custodio thought she was just going to the doctor for a routine exam. But she left with some shocking news: She might have cervical cancer.

She underwent additional testing, which indicated the cancer had not spread beyond the cervix, but Custodio would require surgery immediately.

In October 2008, she was admitted to Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach for a radical hysterectomy. This surgery involves removing the uterus; the cervix and adjacent tissues; part of the upper vagina; and the pelvic lymph nodes.

It’s usually a very invasive procedure, requiring a long hospital stay and recovery period. But at Halifax Health, Kelly Molpus, MD—the area’s only gynecologic oncologist—used the only da Vinci® S Robotic Surgical System in the region to help perform the operation. This advanced technology offers a minimally invasive approach to surgery. For patients, it means less blood loss, smaller scars, reduced pain, and faster recovery.

Because of the expertise and skill of Halifax Health’s physicians and clinical staff, as well as their dedication to using the most modern surgical techniques available, Custodio was able to return home the morning after her procedure.

“It was important to Carol that she be able to return home to her daughter Grace as soon as possible,” said Dr. Molpus. “We used the da Vinci robot for her procedure, and this minimally invasive approach allowed her the rapid recovery she desired.”

The Safety Net - Always There When You Need Us

  • Tell Us Your Story!

    NAPH welcomes submissions from its members. Tell us about your awards, new developments, and innovative programs showing demonstrated results. Selected stories are featured on naph.org and used in NAPH advocacy efforts. Your stories help us communicate the "good news" of safety net hospitals. Member stories are featured monthly on naph.org. View the editorial calendar below for topics and deadlines.

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