Juliane Bingener-Casey, M.D.

Location

SUMMARY

The research and clinical practice of Juliane Bingener-Casey, M.D., is in the field of minimally invasive surgery and endoscopy. The long-term goal of her research program is to utilize novel minimally invasive technology to improve patient outcomes by reducing the impact of surgery on patients' quality of life. She conducts clinical trials using patient-centered research methods, introduces innovative surgical approaches and analyzes comprehensive clinical databases to achieve those goals.

Focus areas

• Minimization of the trauma necessary from a surgical procedure. Dr. Bingener-Casey has led a multidisciplinary team to develop the transluminal endoscopic omental patch, a novel approach to surgery for perforated gastric and duodenal ulcers. The team used endoscopic and laparoscopic techniques to increase the number of patients who could receive a minimally invasive approach when complex laparoscopic suturing was not available in an emergency.
• Evaluation of the invasiveness of new technology and techniques. Dr. Bingener-Casey led a National Institutes of Health-funded double-blind randomized controlled trial to compare novel minimally invasive procedures with each other, using the model of the novel single port and traditional laparoscopy for gallbladder surgery. To measure the outcomes of minimally invasive procedures, Dr. Bingener-Casey and her team focused on patient-reported outcomes and biomarkers of pain, inflammation and operative stress.
• Patient quality of life to guide development of surgical treatment plans. Patient quality of life before surgery is an important predictor for postoperative outcomes and quality of life after surgery. Dr. Bingener-Casey and her colleagues are developing new pathways to prepare patients for complex surgery in ways that fit their needs. The project is supported by the Mayo Clinic Center for Innovation and brings together colleagues from several different departments and patient collaborators to integrate quality of life, physical fitness, preoperative nutrition and anemia into treatment plans.

Significance to patient care

Dr. Bingener-Casey's research aims to continuously decrease the invasiveness of surgical procedures and improve patient outcomes. The smaller the impact of surgery on the patient, the faster the patient will recover and maintain his or her quality of life. In addition, if the quality of life is maintained close to normal, the likelihood of a postoperative complication is smaller. Thus, Dr. Bingener-Casey and her colleagues want to better understand how patients report their outcomes and what is most important to them. She works with her colleagues and patient collaborators to develop and investigate new surgical approaches in and around the operating room to better meet patients' needs.