left to right is Dr. James "Butch" Rosser, MD, FACS and Dr. Maximus L'Amour, MD, FACS.Silver City, NM — Physicians at Gila Regional Medical Center are earning international recognition for advancing a less invasive approach to treating a serious abdominal condition.
James "Butch" Rosser, MD, FACS, and Maximus L'Amour, MD, FACS, presented their research at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) Annual Meeting, held March 25–28, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. Their work was selected for poster presentation among leading surgeons worldwide.
Their paper titled "Standardization of Laparoscopic Peritoneal Lavage for Hinchey III Diverticulitis: A Case Report and Detailed Operative Technique," highlights a laparoscopic technique to treat Hinchey III diverticulitis, a condition involving a ruptured diverticulum with infection inside the abdomen. Traditionally, treatment often requires surgery to remove part of the colon and is frequently followed by a temporary or permanent colostomy.
The approach presented by Drs. Rosser and L'Amour uses small incisions and a camera-guided system to wash out the infection, allowing carefully selected patients to be treated with antibiotics and potentially avoid major surgery.
"This less invasive option can help patients avoid significant pain and the life disruption that comes with a colostomy," said Dr. Rosser. "For many, it means a faster recovery and a return to normal life sooner."
Dr. L'Amour emphasized that the technique must be used carefully. "This approach is not for every case, but when the conditions are right, it can be highly effective," he said. "We're excited to bring forward an option that can improve patient outcomes, especially here in our community."
The case featured in their presentation was performed at Gila Regional Medical Center, where the patient made a full recovery, demonstrating that advanced surgical care is available close to home.
Their work drew strong interest at the conference, and they have been invited to submit a full manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
