Carl Vinson’s Medical Team Executes Groundbreaking Surgery on the High Seas

PACIFIC OCEAN – On August 9, while navigating the open seas, the medical staff aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, faced an urgent medical challenge. One of their Sailors reported experiencing severe abdominal pain.

On a U.S. Navy warship at sea, the absence of high-tech, advanced imaging means medical evaluations rely heavily on physical examination skills and experience. After a thorough physical exam, the medical team determined the Sailor required immediate medical intervention. Despite the pressure, the team aboard “America’s Favorite Carrier” remained composed and prepared for the task.

Cmdr. Debra Lowry, the ship’s surgeon, stated, “It was clear to me, based on multiple factors, that what we were looking at was likely appendicitis.”

Given the Vinson’s position in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations and the lack of immediate access to advanced imaging or nearby hospitals, the medical team made the decision to proceed with surgery at sea. “We were not going to be anywhere close to shore anytime soon,” Lowry explained.

She added that performing the surgery aboard the ship was preferable to sending the Sailor to a distant facility, which could result in an absence of up to a month. Conducting the procedure on the ship would allow for a quicker recovery and return to duty.

The medical team, led by Lowry and including Lt. Cmdr. Julia Camp, Lt. j.g. Kimberly Graff, Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Christopher Melo, and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Steve Choi, proceeded with the laparoscopic appendectomy. This modern, minimally invasive surgical technique uses a slender, illuminated tube fitted with a video camera to inspect the abdominal organs and remove the appendix.

In just over an hour, the team completed the laparoscopic appendectomy and moved the patient to the ship’s post-operative care unit. Monitoring for potential complications, the team provided necessary medications and support to facilitate a swift recovery.

“The surgery was very smooth,” Melo remarked. “It is our job as a surgical team at sea to always stay ready, so it’s important for us to be prepared at all times.”

Currently underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations, the Vinson plays a crucial role in the U.S. Pacific Fleet. This fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific region, delivering essential training to execute the Navy’s primary missions of sea control and power projection. The U.S. 3rd Fleet closely coordinates with other numbered fleets to ensure capable, ready forces are prepared to deploy and succeed in all situations.