Open gallbladder removal involves the creation of a five- to eight-inch long incision in the abdomen below the ribs. Laparoscopic technology allows the same procedure to be performed through a series of small incisions, with a camera on the laparoscope providing the surgeon with a real-time view inside the patient's body. Laparoscopic surgery provides benefits for the patient such as less post-operative pain, shorter recovery (overnight as opposed to five days) and faster return to normal activities since the incisions are small and the abdominal muscles are not cut.
» Learn more about laparoscopic cholecystectomyLaparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair A hiatal hernia is an abnormally large opening in the diaphragm, the organ that separates the abdomen from the chest. If the size of the opening (the hiatus) is not reduced, the stomach and other organs can bulge into the chest. Acid from the stomach then flows backwards into the esophagus, causing acid reflux, tissue damage or even cancer. In a laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair, the stomach and any other organs that have protruded through the opening are pushed back into the abdominal cavity. Then the hiatus is closed and the muscle wall strengthened to prevent hernias from occurring in the future. Nissen fundoplication may then be performed to reduce reflux. All of these steps take place via a series of small incisions that minimize muscle trauma and allow patients to enjoy a faster recovery with less post-operative pain and downtime. » Learn more about laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair
Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication
Nissen fundoplication is performed to reduce chronic gastroesophageal reflux (heartburn). During the procedure, part of the stomach is wrapped around the esophagus to strengthen the valve that prevents acids from escaping into the esophagus. Many patients with reflux also suffer from hiatal hernias, which are often repaired at the same time. Laparoscopic techniques allow fundoplication to be performed through five small incisions so patients lose less blood during surgery and enjoy fewer complications, less post-operative pain and a shorter recovery.
» Learn more about laparoscopic Nissen fundoplicationLaparoscopic Heller Myotomy
Heller myotomy is the standard treatment for people suffering from the esophageal disorder achalasia. Achalasia is a progressive disorder that weakens the muscles of the esophagus, making it increasingly difficult to swallow. The sphincter that connects the esophagus to the stomach does not fully open, trapping food in the esophagus and leading to vomiting and, eventually, weight loss and malnutrition. A Heller myotomy permanently opens the gastroesophageal sphincter to allow food to pass easily into the stomach. Part of the stomach is then wrapped around the esophagus in a procedure called fundoplication to prevent acid reflux.
» Learn more about laparoscopic Heller myotomyLaparoscopic Gastric Resection
Laparoscopic gastric resection provides more patients with the opportunity to undergo surgery to remove cancerous or non-cancerous tumors in the stomach. As a minimally invasive procedure, laparoscopic gastric resection offers the advantages of a lower risk of complications, a swifter recovery, a faster return to regular activities, smaller scars and less post-operative discomfort.
» Learn more about laparoscopic gastric resectionLaparoscopic Small Bowel Resection
Laparoscopic small bowel resection requires three to four small incisions instead of the single large incision of open surgery. The abdomen may be filled with gas to help the surgeon see better. As with other laparoscopic procedures, laparoscopic small bowel resection offers patients the potential of a faster recovery, less post-operative pain and smaller scars.
» Learn more about laparoscopic small bowel resectionLaparoscopic Colon Resection
Patients who undergo open colon resection often endure a week-long hospital stay, significant post-operative pain due to a long surgical incision, and a six-week recovery. For those patients who qualify, laparoscopic techniques offer less post-operative pain and smaller incisions/scars as well as the possibility of a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery. Laparoscopic colon resection typically involves four to five incisions of about 1/4-inch each. In some cases, one incision may need to be extended to 2 or 3 inches.
» Learn more about laparoscopic colon resectionLaparoscopic Appendectomy
In a minimally invasive appendectomy, an endoscope and a few surgical instruments are inserted through a series of small incisions so the appendix can be removed with less pain and a shorter recovery period than open surgery. The camera on the endoscope allows the surgeon to confirm the presence of appendicitis and perform the surgery without making a large incision. Patients can return home in as little as one day.
» Learn more about laparoscopic appendectomyLaparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair A ventral hernia is an opening that forms in the abdominal wall, usually at the site of a previous surgical incision where the muscles are weak. The inner lining of the abdomen pushes through the opening, forming a sac, and a portion of the intestine or other abdominal tissue can then slip into the sac. Organs that get stuck in the sac (known as incarceration) can cause severe problems that require emergency surgery. During laparoscopic surgical repair under general anesthesia, the surgeon pushes the protruding tissue back into the abdominal cavity and attaches a mesh to the muscles around the hernia to strengthen the area. » Learn more about laparoscopic ventral hernia repair
Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair An inguinal hernia is a hernia that occurs in the groin. They may occur in children as a congenital defect or in adults as a result of aging, injury, previous surgery, repetitive lifting, chronic cough or constipation, or other reasons. During laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, the surgeon inserts instruments through three to four small incisions, pushes the protruding tissue back into the abdominal cavity, and patches the hernia with a surgical mesh. » Learn more about laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair
Laparoscopic Splenectomy Compared with open surgery, laparoscopic splenectomy offers patients the following advantages: •Less pain after surgery •Shorter hospital stay •Faster return to eating solid foods •Faster return to normal activities •Smaller scars Whether the spleen can be removed laparoscopically depends on several factors, including the size of the spleen. If the spleen is only slightly too large, the surgeon may try to shrink it before surgery by restricting blood flow through the main artery that supplies the spleen. » Learn more about laparoscopic splenectomy
Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy not only offers candidates less postoperative pain and a faster recovery, it also produces smaller scars (three or four incisions of 1/4- to 1/2-inch instead of a single 6- to 12-inch incision) and a lower risk of wound separation or hernia after surgery. Under general anesthesia, the surgeon inserts small tools and a camera into the abdomen and carefully removes the adrenal gland.
» Learn more about laparoscopic adrenalectomyLaparoscopic Lysis of Adhesions
An adhesion is an abnormal attachment of two organs. Adhesions can cause abdominal pain and affect the functioning of one or both of the organs involved. Before the development of laparoscopic surgical techniques, adhesions were often left alone despite these risks. Nowadays, surgeons can identify and separate adhered organs by inserting instruments through three to four small incisions in the abdomen under general anesthesia.
» Learn more about laparoscopic lysis of adhesions