Prince Philip Abdominal Surgery Worrisome for Cancer?

Although we are not participating in the care of Prince Philip, husband to Queen Elizabeth of England, we have noted news reports that the prince consort is scheduled for “exploratory surgery” shortly after findings of abdominal. He was admitted to the hospital today under his own power after attending an afternoon garden party for a planned surgery for abnormal abdominal findings detected during a staged medical workup. Prince Philip is expected to be in the hospital for two weeks. This announcement by Buckingham Palace is very carefully worded and is likely not sharing all the details known to the Palace at this time. First, to read between the lines of the announcement, there is really no exploratory surgery in modern care. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have eliminated the old saw that surgeons should “never let the skin come between you and the diagnosis.” When masses or tumors are found on imaging, CT or endoscopic biopsy can usually be performed to obtain tissue for pathologic diagnosis. So, likely the Prince’s surgical team know exactly what they are operating on and why. Secondly, an acute infectious process is most likely ruled out as the Prince was feeling well enough to attend a party and then ambulate to the hospital. This likely rules out such conditions as cholecystitis (gallbladder infection) and diverticulitis. Third, a hospital stay of two weeks likely means an open laparotomy with a large abdominal incision....
Source: Inside Surgery - Category: Surgeons Authors: Tags: Medical News Wire exploratory Prince Philip Queen Elizabeth surgery Source Type: blogs