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Dr. Cindy Chunshin Tai, MD is a pediatric general surgeon in SEATTLE, WA specializing in pediatric general surgery. She graduated from New York Medical College in 2003 and has 23 years of experience. Dr. Cindy Chunshin Tai, MD is affiliated with Providence and Swedish Medical Center.
Adrenalectomy (Adrenal Surgery)
Adrenalectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the adrenal glands, which lie above each kidney. The adrenal glands are responsible for producing hormones that are necessary for bodily functions, such as the regulation of blood pressure and metabolism. If the adrenal glands overproduce certain hormones, or if a tumor grows on them, removal of the glands is a treatment option.
Adrenal surgery can be open or laparoscopic. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that inserts a thin tube with a camera (laparoscope) through several small incisions on the abdomen. The surgeon uses the laparoscope to guide the procedure and is able to access and remove adrenal glands through the small incisions. Laparoscopic adrenal surgery lasts approximately 1-2 hours.
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is associated with shorter recovery periods, reduced risk of infection, and smaller scars. Although these factors may be desirable, the location of the tumor, its size, and the severity of the condition may require that an individual instead undergo open surgery. An open adrenalectomy is typically done for larger adrenal tumors and requires a single, large incision on the abdomen. Open adrenal surgery takes around 2-4 hours.
Following the operation, patients will remain in the hospital for 1-2 days for a laparoscopic adrenalectomy or 3-5 days for an open adrenalectomy. Patients will likely have a liquid diet immediately after their surgery, but should be able to return to solid foods after a day. If both of the glands are removed, patients will be given drug therapy to replace the hormones they produced.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a procedure performed to remove a small sample of cells for testing. The cells are examined in a laboratory to check for disease, or sometimes to see how badly a known disease is affecting them. Biopsy can be performed on any part of the body.
Although biopsy is most often associated with cancer, it can also be used to check for other diseases, such as infections. A biopsy sample can be scraped, cut, collected with a needle, taken with a machine that punches out a tiny piece, or removed with the tiny tools in an endoscope.
In most cases, a biopsy is a simple outpatient procedure. Depending on the procedure, patients may need to stop taking certain medications beforehand, such as blood thinners. It is important for patients to tell doctors if they are pregnant, as certain biopsies require the use of x-rays to guide the needle to the right location. There is usually very little pain associated with a biopsy. Patients will have to wait a few days to hear the results.
Gallbladder Removal Surgery (Cholecystectomy)
The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of the upper abdomen, underneath the liver. Its purpose is to store bile, which is used to digest fat. Occasionally, the gallbladder can develop mineral stones, called gallstones. If they are large enough, gallstones can block the ducts in the gallbladder and cause swelling and infection. Gallstones can be treated with lifestyle changes and medication, but sometimes this is not enough. In these cases, it is best to remove the gallbladder before it can cause more serious problems. The surgical removal of the gallbladder is called a cholecystectomy.
Today, most gallbladder surgeries are done laparoscopically. Four tiny incisions are made in the abdomen, and small tools are inserted through these tiny incisions to perform the surgery. Because the incisions are much smaller, recovery time is much faster with this type of surgery. Patients are usually discharged from the hospital the same day. Sometimes, open surgery is used to remove a gallbladder. In this type of surgery, a cut about six inches long is made in the upper right abdomen. After the gallbladder is removed, it is sutured or stapled closed. With open surgery, patients usually stay in the hospital for two to three days to recover before they are discharged.
Gallbladder removal, like any surgery, carries some risks, such as bleeding, infection, or the development of blood clots. Doctors will tell patients how to minimize their risk for complications. After surgery, patients are advised to avoid strenuous activity for several days. They should not soak in a bath until their sutures or staples have been removed. Patients should wash hands before touching the area around the incision. It will take a couple of days until patients feel like themselves again and a few weeks until their scar has healed and faded.
Dr. Cindy Chunshin Tai, MD graduated from New York Medical College in 2003. She completed residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center. She is certified by the American Board of Surgery, Pediatric Surgery and has a state license in Washington.
Medical School: New York Medical College (2003)
Residency: Loma Linda University Medical Center (2011)
Board Certification: American Board of Surgery, Pediatric Surgery
Licensed In: Washington
Dr. Cindy Chunshin Tai, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Cindy Chunshin Tai, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Humana PPO, Aetna PPO, Wellcare Medicare (HMO), CIGNA PPO, Medicare Advantage, Humana Medicare Advantage, Interplan PPO, TriWest, United Healthcare, TRICARE, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, United Healthcare Medicaid, OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions (United Behavioral Health), United Healthcare PPO, Providence, Humana HMO, First Health, WellPoint, Kaiser Permanente, Molina Healthcare, Aetna Medicare PPO, Carelon PPO, Ambetter Cascade Select, Ambetter Cascade Care, Premera, Evernorth PPO, Seven Corners, First Choice PPO and Regence BlueShield of Washington PPO.
According to our sources, Dr. Cindy Chunshin Tai, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Cindy Chunshin Tai, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.92 out of 5 stars based on 12 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Cindy Chunshin Tai, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in SEATTLE, WA.
To see all 12 reviews for Dr. Cindy Chunshin Tai, MD, view their full profile.
Dr. Cindy Tai is a pediatric general surgery specialist. She obtained her medical school training at New York Medical College and performed her residency at Loma Linda University Medical Center. Dr. Tai's areas of expertise include feeding tube insertion, moles, and pectus excavatum (sunken chest). Patient reviews placed her at an average of 5.0 stars (out of 5). Dr. Tai seems to honor HealthSmart, Coventry, CIGNA Plans, and more. Her professional affiliations include Providence and Swedish Medical Center. According to Doctor.com, she is currently accepting new patients at her office in SEATTLE, WA.
