Gallbladder Surgery:

Removal of the gallbladder is one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States. Laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder is called a laparoscoic cholecystectomy and is performed for right upper quadrant pain associated with gallstones. Patients may have a single attack of pain or more commonly develop pain repeatedly, especially after eating. 

 

The surgery was performed through a six inch incision up until laparoscopy became more common in the last two decades of the twentieth century. Using laparoscopy or “keyhole surgery” the gallbladder was removed with four small incisions; a camera and three other incisions were used for the ports. The ports were used to insert and remove tools for dissection of the gallbladder. This procedure met with significant success as patients had noticeably less pain, smaller scars, and were able to go home safely the same day as surgery.

 

After many years of using four incisions for laparoscopic surgery, I am now able to use a single one inch incision to remove the gallbladder through the umbilicus. The benefit to the patient is that there are fewer incisions that could potentially become hernias and only a single scar in the umbilicus. At the same time, the surgery is equally safe and the patient can go home the same day.

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Appendectomy Surgery:

Similar to the gallbladder surgery (above), the appendix is removed through a single one inch incision. It is also considered equally safe as previous open surgeries for appendicitis.

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Exploratory Laparoscopy Surgery:

The single incision system can be used for abdominal exploration safely. In many cases, only one incision is necessary to complete the procedure.