Category Archives: Shu Procedure Clinic

Pre-operative Vasectomy consultation in Minnesota

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When men in Minnesota consider male sterilization, a preoperative interactive consultation is an important step in planning on vasectomy. Dr. Shu in One Stop Medical Center recommends that a preoperative consultation should be conducted in person, so the vasectomy consultation will be more effective.

The minimum and necessary concepts that should be discussed in a preoperative vasectomy consultation include the following: (based on American Urological Association Guideline)

• vasectomy is intended to be a permanent form of contraception.

• vasectomy does not produce immediate sterility.

• Following vasectomy, another form of contraception is required until vas occlusion is confirmed by post- vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA).

• Even after vas occlusion is confirmed, vasectomy is not 100% reliable in preventing pregnancy.

• The risk of pregnancy after vasectomy is approximately 1 in 2,000 for men who have post-vasectomy azoospermia or PVSA showing rare non-motile sperm (RNMS).

• Repeat vasectomy is necessary in ≤1% of vasectomies, provided that a technique for vas occlusion known to have a low occlusive failure rate has been used.

• Patients should refrain from ejaculation for approximately one week after vasectomy.

• Options for fertility after vasectomy include vasectomy reversal and sperm retrieval with in vitro fertilization. These options are not always successful, and they may be expensive.

• The rates of surgical complications such as symptomatic hematoma and infection are 1-2%. These rates vary with the surgeon’s experience and the criteria used to diagnose these conditions.

• Chronic scrotal pain associated with negative impact on quality of life occurs after vasectomy in about 1-2% of men. Few of these men require additional surgery.

• Other permanent and non-permanent alternatives to vasectomy are available.

Why is Colonoscopy so Important in Minnesota?

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According to reports from the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the US. 1 in 17 people in Minnesota will develop colorectal cancer. Deaths from colorectal cancer rank third after lung and prostate cancer for men and third after lung and breast cancer for women.

Research shows that regular colon cancer screening saves lives. Colonoscopy is one of the most effective exams for preventing colorectal cancer or for early diagnosis. Researchers reported in The New England Journal of Medicine last year that the death rate from colorectal cancer was cut by 53 percent in those who had the colonoscopy exam and whose doctors removed precancerous growths, known as adenomatous polyps.

Removing precancerous polyps can help prevent the development of colorectal cancer since colon cancers usually develop from adenomatous polyps. Just like any cancer, the earlier it is found, the easier it is treated.

Although more people in the Minneapolis and St Paul areas have regular colonoscopy screening exams, many qualified people in Minnesota haven’t had any colonoscopy tests yet. One Stop Medical Center offers convenient and affordable colonoscopy in its Edina office. Our patient friendly formula makes bowel preparation much easier.

How to Prevent Fungus Re-infection in Minnesota

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You have been doing everything you can to get rid of you toenail fungus. Now the key is to prevent another fungal infection. There are some things you can do at home to prevent fungus re-infection.

• Clean your sheets in hot water and dry them on high heat.
• Wear socks that are made of natural fibers and not synthetic material.
• Make sure your feet are dry.
• Don’t walk barefoot in public places.

Besides keeping your feet clean and dry you can also sanitize your shoes. One Stop Medical Clinic, located in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, carries the Sterishoe which is a special UV sterilizer for your shoes. It uses germicidal ultraviolet light (UVC) to kill microorganisms that cause toenail fungus, athletes foot and shoe odor. Dr. Steven Shu, of One Stop Medical Clinic, recommends the Sterishoe system to every patient who comes in for laser treatments for their toenail fungus.

We tend to sweat in our shoes especially in the warmer months of Minnesota which creates the perfect breeding ground for toenail fungus, athletes foot and shoe odor. The end of the day is the perfect time to insert the Sterishoes to kill any microorganisms that are living in your shoes. You can treat both shoes at once as the system comes as a set of two lights shaped like a shoe tree and two bags to keep it dark while the light is treating your shoes. Even open toed shoes and sandals can be treated. A treatment cycle lasts 45 minutes. All you have to do is turn them on and at the end of the cycle; the lights will shut off automatically. The treatment will kill 99.9% of the harmful microorganisms that cause toenail fungus and athletes foot.

Summary of Birth control methods and failure rates |Minnesota

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Different types of birth control methods in Minnesota have large differences in effectiveness, but all birth control methods work the best if used correctly and every time you have sex. The vasectomy is one of the lowest failure rates among the birth control methods. The study showed the traditional vasectomy failure rate is 1-3 per 1000 cases; the failure rate would be less than 1 per 2000 in no scalpel vasectomy with the fascia clipping technique (fascia interposition).

Failure rates can be calculated statistically under a “perfect-use” condition. A “perfect-use” rate is where any rules and steps of the method are rigorously followed, and (if applicable) the method is used at every act of sexual intercourse. Therefore, actual failure rates are higher than perfect-use rates for a variety of reasons, including wrong instructions, handling mistakes, and mistakes/non-compliance from end users.

Birth control methods and failure rates (the number of pregnancies expected per 100 women)

Sterilization surgery for women: Less than 1 pregnancy

Sterilization implant for women: Less than 1 pregnancy

Sterilization surgery for men (vasectomy): Less than 1 pregnancy

Implantable rod: Less than 1 pregnancy

Intrauterine device: Less than 1 pregnancy

Shot/injection (Depo-Provera): Less than 1 pregnancy

Oral contraceptives: 5 pregnancies

Skin patch: 5 pregnancies

Vaginal ring: 5 pregnancies

Male condom 11-16 pregnancies

Diaphragm with spermicide 15 pregnancies

Sponge with spermicide 16-32 pregnancies

Cervical cap with spermicide 17-23 pregnancies

Female condom: 20 pregnancies

Natural family planning (rhythm method): 25 pregnancies

Spermicide alone: 30 pregnancies

Emergency contraception: 1 pregnancy

How to Treat Varicose Veins in Minneapolis and St. Paul

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The veins are the blood vessels that are responsible for returning blood to the heart. A varicose vein develops when some of the blood stays inside of the veins due to defective valves. Many risk factors such as pregnancy, obesity and long standing could aggravate it. Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that can be very uncomfortable sometimes. It is important to note that painful varicose veins are more common in women than in men in Minnesota.

Feelings of fullness, pain or fatigue in the legs with swollen, visible veins are some of the main symptoms of varicose veins in Minnesota. Patients who have a severe case of varicose veins may develop the complications such as stasis dermatitis and skin ulcers near their ankles.

Varicose veins can be quite bothersome, but fortunately, there are things that can be done to treat them. Sclerotherapy is one of the many treatment options available in Minnesota for small varicose veins. This procedure involves injecting a solution into the vein. This solution causes the varicose vein to collapse. The treated veins will completely fade within a few weeks.

Endovenous laser ablation is another treatment option in Minneapolis for large varicose veins. This procedure involves inserting a laser fiber into the vein. The heat from the laser causes the vein to shrink and eventually disappear.

Additionally, people in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas have the option of getting mini-phlebectomy. This treatment involves making tiny incisions in order to remove the varicose veins. The patient will be given a local anesthetic prior to this procedure. Because the incisions are so tiny, the doctor will not have to use sutures to close them.

Thrombosed External Hemorrhoid in Minnesota

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Thrombosed external hemorrhoid is a common problem in Minnesota. It is usually a complication from the underlying disease – internal hemorrhoids. It occurs outside the anal verge when one or more varicose hemorrhoidal veins rupture and blood clots develop. Typical symptoms of thrombosed external hemorrhoid are sudden onset with severe rectal pain and tender bluish swelling in the anus. These hemorrhoids are typically treated with either incision to remove the clot or with external hemorrhoidectomy. Simply draining the clot usually relieves the pain immediately, but it may not work well if multiple thromboses exist as it can also lead to recurrence, so it is better for patients with multiple thromboses to completely excise the thrombosed hemorrhoids.

I have an interesting story that happened while I visited China a few years ago. My friend Dave developed the thrombosed external hemorrhoid in the hotel while he accompanied me to visit a new resort town after an academic exchange in China. I went to a local hospital in the town and identified myself. The medical staff believed that I was a general surgeon at Shanghai Medical University twenty years ago and that currently I practice in the US. Surprisingly, the staff in the local hospital was very helpful and generous, and I managed to return with latex gloves, a scalpel, syringes, a pack of gauze, and a bottle of Lidocaine. I got Dave down on the bed and we did an incision and draining procedure right there in the hotel. The relief was immediate and other than a little bleeding for a day or so, the problem was solved.

If anyone in the Minneapolis and St Paul areas develops the sudden onset of severe rectal pain, please call us immediately. We will accommodate to your urgent medical needs and offer the same day care.

Importance to Follow Post Vasectomy Instructions in Minnesota

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Vasectomy is a minimally invasive sterilization procedure for male patients in Minnesota, in which the vas deferens tube leading from each testicle is cut and sealed, preventing sperm from becoming part of the seminal fluid that leaves the body at sexual climax. Without sperm in the semen after the vasectomy is done, a man impregnate his female partner.

No scalpel vasectomy is the preferred method in male sterilization. The procedure is usually done in an office setting under the local anesthesia, and the procedure takes about 20 minutes. The semen analysis will confirm the effectiveness of a vasectomy in 3 months.

The immediate risks of vasectomy are bleeding and infection, but these risks are generally very low for vasectomies. The risks are even lower in our no scalpel vasectomy.  We have performed almost 200 no scalpel vasectomies in Minneapolis/St Paul area in the past years, and there have been no cases of infection or large hematoma (bleeding).

It is important to follow the post vasectomy instructions.

  • Discomfort should be mild, may take Tylenol or Ibuprofen as needed, normally strong pain relievers are not necessary. Get plenty of rest and stay off your feet. May use ice packs in the first few days.
  • You should wear a new scrotal support immediately after the vasectomy and for a few days afterward.
  • Contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe swelling or a growing mass related to bleeding, any sudden fever, chills, increasing pain, swelling or drainage, and lasting pain.
  • You should be able to take showers after a day or two. Do not take baths or submerge your body in water for a few days after surgery.
  • You should be able to return to work after three days. No strenuous activities or heavy lifting for 1-2 weeks.
  • It is recommended that you abstain from sex 1-2 weeks after the surgery. Keep in mind that until your doctor confirms that you are sterile, use an alternate form of birth control.

Higher Risk of Varicose Veins in Women | Minneapolis & St Paul

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Sorry women in Minnesota but you are more at risk for varicose veins due to hormonal conditions, hormone replacement therapy, birth control and pregnancy. When a woman is pregnant there is 50% more blood circulating which puts more stress on the veins. Also the uterus puts pressure on the large vein that brings blood back to the heart. Many times, women in Minnesota feel that they need to wait until they are done having children to have their veins treated. During that time the varicose veins are only getting worse. If you are wondering if you will get varicose veins just look to your parents or grandparents. If they had varicose veins, chances are that you will also.

The job that a woman in Minnesota has can also affect her veins. Occupations in which a person is standing on their feet for long periods of time can add pressure to the veins. Gravity is causing blood to go to the lower legs and stay there. The top 4 professions that can lead to varicose veins are: teachers, medical professionals, restaurant and retail professionals and hair stylists. Taking breaks and moving around and elevating the feet can help the veins not to become worse. If you are starting to have symptoms such as; swelling or throbbing, tenderness around the vein, burning or tingling or itchiness you will want to get your veins checked to see if you need treatment. You don’t have to see the varicose veins to have them. Get treated before they become visible.

In the Minneapolis/St. Paul area there are many vein clinics you can go to. One Stop Medical in the Twin Cities area treats both varicose veins and hemorrhoids which are varicose veins found in the rectal area. Dr. Steven Shu has built up his successful practice performing in office procedures on these veins. Left untreated the veins not only become unsightly but can also become discomfort and painful. Many times that is what finally drives people in to have their varicose veins and hemorrhoids treated. Dr. Shu says, “Don’t wait. Get them treated right away and have a better quality of life now instead of later.”

What is the Upper Age Limit for Colon cancer screening in Minnesota?

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According to colon cancer screening guidelines issued by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), if people older than age 75 who have been getting regular colon cancer screening since age 50 and who have had consistently normal results without polyps (adenomas) or colon cancer can stop getting routine screening, but people in the increased risk level of colon cancer may continue colon cancer screening beyond 75 years old. Other professional organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the American College of Gastroenterology do not specify an upper age limit for colonoscopy screening.

Interestedly, there is new research data that suggests very low chance to get colon cancer if the first colonoscopy at 50 is normal. This data indicates the importance of first colonoscopy at 50. I predict that colon cancer screening guidelines may change in the future.

One Stop Medical Center offer colonoscopy in Edina, MN with very affordable price and convenience. The exam time of colonoscopy lasts about 20-30 minutes, the patients are typically in and out in an hour.

Laser Treatment for Nail Fungus in Minneapolis

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Nail fungus is a common toenail problem and a humiliating physical defect; it has become such an issue that many people won’t wear sandals even in the hottest months. The nails turn yellow and brittle and so people would rather hide them than expose them. In Minnesota, we only have a short time frame to be able to wear sandals and it’s frustrating when you can’t get a pedicure or wear sandals due to a toenail fungus. It is mostly a cosmetic issue at the beginning though this problem could point to deep, underlying health issues. Sufferers tend to avoid social and intimate situations until they find the right solutions. Procedure Clinic in Edina and Shoreview, MN has nail fungus medical professionals who are qualified to recommend the best solutions.

There is a process that all infected nails go through. First, the nail changes color, then grows thicker. As the infected area worsens, the nail becomes more fragile and parts break off, or in extreme cases, the whole nail falls off or severely deformed. If the problem is not solved, pain and inflammation sets in. The toe looks more unattractive.

What people in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas are turning to now is Laser treatment for nail fungus. Dr. Steven Shu of Edina, MN, says, “We are seeing a higher success rate with laser treatments. The treatments are safe and have no side effects or risk to the patient.” The laser uses a specific wavelength of energy which is delivered to the sight of the infection. It is targeted towards the fungi to kill it but leaves the nail and surrounding tissue intact. Patients must make sure that they are taking very good care of their feet after the laser treatment series is over.