Laparoscopic Surgery
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Laparocopic surgery is revolutionizing the specialty of general surgery. A laparoscope is a fiberoptic
lens smaller in diameter than the
adult human finger. When this lens is connected to a high-resolution digital camera, the resulting images have exceptional clarity and
detail. Many disease processes within the abdomen which could only be surgically accessed by way of large incisions in the past are now
approached laparoscopically. A laparoscope can be placed into the abdomen through a small incision (usually 12mm. or less) and allow
the surgeon to examine the abdominal organs by viewing the images on a video monitor. The surgeon may then choose to place
additional access ports (hollow tubes usually 5mm. or 10mm. in size) through which laparoscopic instruments can be placed. |
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The surgeon
may then proceed with the necessary surgical procedure using these fine instruments, continually monitoring with the
laparoscope. When
feasible, the laparoscopic approach results in less discomfort after surgery by avoiding the larger incisions used in conventional surgery.
For this reason, laparoscopic procedures have also become known as "minimally invasive " procedures.
Laparoscopy first became incorporated into general surgery in 1989. Following success with laparoscopic cholecystectomy ( removal of
the gallbladder ) in Europe, surgeons in the USA began perfecting this technique as well. Today, the vast majority of gallbladder surgery is performed laparoscopically. As skill and confidence with laparoscopic techniques have increased, so too has the number of procedures
approached this way. Below are some examples of surgical procedures commonly approached laparoscopically by the surgeons at Montclair Surgical
Associates :
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (removal of gallbladder)
Laparoscopic Bile Duct Exploration
(removing stones and debris from the bile ducts)
Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair ( repair of the diaphram)
Laparoscopic Fundoplication (treating gastroesophageal reflux disease-GERD)
Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair
(hernias of the groin)
Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair
(midline abdominal wall hernias)
Laparoscopic Colon Resection
(removal of part of colon)
Laparoscopic Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Placement/Revision
Laparoscopic Liver Biopsy (if not feasible
percutaneously)
Diagnostic Laparoscopy (for acute or chronic abdominal pain)
Laparoscopic Lysis of Adhesions (dividing scar tissue to relieve pain/obstruction)
Laparoscopic Appendectomy (removal of the appendix)
As with any surgical procedure, a laparoscopic operation is only beneficial if it can
be performed as safely or more safely than its
conventional counterpart. There are some situations where this is not feasible. Laparoscopic access can be difficult in some patients who
have had multiple previous conventional operations because of scarring and alterations of anatomy. All laparoscopic surgeons are trained
to convert a laparoscopic procedure to a conventional ("open") operation if this is necessary for patient safety.
Your consultation with one of the surgeons at Montclair Surgical Associates will allow for a review of the surgical options in your case
after the diagnosis has been confirmed.
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