For 25 years, Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa has taken the lead in bringing new and cutting-edge treatments to patients in Eastern Iowa. But, what you may not know, is that our providers focus on procedures and technology that can also save you money.

The trend over the past five years has been to complete diagnostic tests and minimally invasive procedures outside of the hospital. As technology has progressed, many surgeries only require tiny incisions. For healthy patients, that means surgery can be completed at an ambulatory surgery center, or even right in the doctor’s office, with no overnight stay in a hospital required. Which means no pricey hospital bill.

Outpatient surgeries are convenient, safe, have a lower risk of infection and are lower cost compared to inpatient (hospital) surgery. With advanced techniques in pain management, post-operative pain is well-controlled, so patients enjoy a faster recovery at home.

PCI surgeons have performed thousands of outpatient surgeries over the last five years. Techniques have evolved, safety concerns have been addressed, scientific evidence has been consistent, and outpatient surgery has, and will continue to become, the standard of care.

Outpatient Surgeries

Ear, Nose & Throat

Most ear, nose, throat, head and neck surgeries are minimally invasive and can be completed on an outpatient basis. Some common outpatient surgeries include ear tubes, tonsil and adenoid removal, turbinate surgery, nasal and sinus endoscopy, balloon sinuplasty and septoplasty.

General Surgeries

The list of outpatient general surgeries is quite extensive. They include gallbladder, appendectomies, hernias of all kinds (inguinal, umbilical, incision), numerous breast surgeries (benign lesions, excisional biopsies, breast cancer), infusaports, peritoneal dialysis catheters, all anorectal surgeries, endoscopy, soft tissue lesions and temporal artery biopsies.

Orthopedic Surgeries

The orthopedic surgeons at Physicians' Clinic of Iowa have partnered with Surgery Center Cedar Rapids and Mercy Outpatient Surgery Center to bring same day joint replacement surgeries to the Cedar Rapids Corridor. For qualified patients, arthroscopic surgeries and total joint replacements (knee, hip and shoulder), neck and back, hand and wrist surgeries can all be completed on an outpatient basis.

Surgeries are normally performed in the morning. Once awake from anesthesia, patients are up moving around within an hour. They then have an appointment with a Rock Valley physical therapist onsite.  Once cleared, that's it - you're released to leave and recover in the comfort of your own home.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeries

Nationwide, nearly 90 percent of plastic surgery procedures are performed in outpatient facilities. Everything from breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, liposuction and breast cancer reconstruction can be performed on an outpatient basis.

Podiatric Surgeries

At PCI, nearly all podiatry surgeries are now completed on an outpatient basis. Some common foot and ankle outpatient surgeries are bunion correction, hammertoe correction, metatarsal osteotomy, neuroma excision, tendon repair, tendon lengthening, fusion procedures, nerve release, excision of soft tissue mass and plantar fasciotomy.

Urologic Surgeries

Many common urologic surgeries, such as vasectomies, prostate procedures, incontinence procedures and kidney stone fragmentation are performed either in the clinic here at PCI or at an outpatient surgery center.

Vascular Surgeries

Vascular surgeons have been able to perform most endovascular procedures (angiography, balloon, and stents) on an outpatient basis for well over a decade. In addition, most dialysis access procedures can be successfully accomplished as outpatient. 

PCI’s vascular surgeons have dramatically expanded access to many procedures in the office, meaning patients can be seen at PCI without using a hospital or surgery center. Patients can have most of their arterial and all varicose vein treatments performed at the office. PCI Vascular Surgery has been successfully performing complex angiographic procedures in the office for nearly 8 years, including angioplasty (balloon) and stent treatment of arteries as well as various atherectomy techniques using both x-ray and intravascular ultrasound technologies.