What is laparoscopic surgery?
Laparoscopic surgery is the term used to describe a surgical procedure performed with a special video camera and long, thin, flexible instruments. It is also referred to as minimally invasive surgery and sometimes keyhole or bandaid surgery.
Unlike conventional surgery which usually requires a long incision through the skin and muscle layers to allow the surgeon access to a damaged or diseased organ, laparoscopic surgery requires 3 to 5 tiny incisions (less than a half inch each) spaced around the surgical area. Plastic tubes called ports are inserted into the small incisions and the laparoscope and special instruments are then introduced through the ports.
A laparoscope is a long flexible tube with a tiny camera at the end. It is attached to a video monitor to allow the surgeon to view a magnified image from inside the body. Using the video image, the surgeon uses the other surgical instruments to perform complex surgeries.
Benefits of Laparoscopic surgery
- Because the incisions are smaller, there is less discomfort after the surgery
- Scars are smaller and can be easily concealed
- Hospital stays are shorter
- Recovery time is reduced
- Patient can return to work or school faster
- Less internal scarring and reduced risk of wound separation
Using advanced laparoscopic techniques, our surgeons are experts in performing the following minimally invasive surgeries:
Thyroidectomy:
Removal of a portion of the thyroid gland to treat benign and malignant tumors and hyperthyroidism
Parathyroidectomy:
Minimally Invasive Radioguided Parathyroidectomy (MIRP) to correct hyperparathyroidism
Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy:
Treats achalasia, a disorder of the esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter
Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication:
Treatment of severe gastroesophageal reflux disease also known as acid indigestion and heartburn
Laparoscopic hernia repair:
Correction of inguinal, femoral, hiatal, ventral and incional hernais
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy:
Removal of the adrenal gland to treat adrenal tumors
Laparoscopic pancreatectomy:
Removal of part of the pancreas to treat benign and malignant tumors
Laparoscopic splenectomy:
Removal of the spleen to treat trauma, blood diseases, and tumors
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy:
Removal of the gallbladder to treat gallstones and bile duct obstruction
Laparoscopic appendectomy:
Removal of the vermiform appendix for acute appendicitis
Laparoscopic colon resection:
Removal of diseased section of large intestine to treat diverticular disease, bleeding, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, polyps, obstructions and cancer.
Laparoscopic gastrectomy:
Removal of all or part of stomach to benign and malignant tumors
Laparoscopic small bowel resection:
Removal of disease portion of small intestine to treat benign and malignant tumors, obstruction, polyps, and Crohn’s disease