Why Minimally Invasive Surgery?
One of the greatest trends in the history of surgery is the advent of minimally invasive techniques for the full spectrum of surgery types performed on the human body. Minimally Invasive Surgery, also referred to as Laparoscopic Surgery, means performing surgery in many cases without open incisions. For patients, this can translate into a lower risk of infection, faster recovery and less scarring. Because of the great benefits offered by such techniques, minimally invasive options challenge the standard-of-care for many conditions and should always be considered.

General Surgeons at Celebration Health are experts in minimally invasive surgical techniques and treat the following conditions:

Gynecologic Surgery • Endometriosis • Infertility • Pelvic Pain • Pelvic Prolapse • Laparoscopic Hysterectomy • Laparoscopic Myomectomy • Adhesions • Hysteroscopy • Ovarian Cysts

General Surgery • Adhesions • Colon Surgery • Heartburn Surgery • Gall Bladder/Bile Duct Surgery • Bariatric (Weight Loss) Surgery • Spleen, Liver & Stomach Surgery • Bowel Obstructions • Abdominal Pain

What is Laproscopy?
Laproscopy is a surgical procedure that entails using a slender telescope-like instrument called a laparoscope. This instrument is inserted through a trocar or small conduit placed through a small cut in the naval or belly button. Additional small incisions are made into the skin at the pubic hair line so that other instruments can be used to perform the surgery. On average, patients require 2-4 incisions depending on the surgical procedure. These incisions are typically 1 cm or less. Occasionally a stitch is required in these incisions but they dissolve and fall out in about a week after surgery.

These are frequently performed as outpatient procedures, and patients generally go home on the same day. Although the surgery often takes longer, risk is minimized since the operation is not open. In addition, many hours of surgical training and specialization result in array of benefits for the patient, including a shorter time in the hospital, less pain and scarring, less blood loss and quicker recovery.

Surgical Techniques "Open vs. Laparoscopic"
"Laparoscopic" and "open" surgery simply describe the techniques a surgeon uses to gain access to the internal surgery site. Advancing technology and research have transformed the treatment through surgery in recent years. In the past, most patients underwent “open” surgery. However, patients now have a second surgery option, laparoscopic or minimally invasive surgery. The technique known as minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery allows surgeons to perform many common gynecological procedures through small incisions. Depending on the type of procedure, patients may leave the hospital in a few days and return to normal activities more quickly than patients recovering from open surgery.

Open Surgery: During traditional “open surgery,” the surgeon makes a long incision in the abdomen to view and or remove the diseased portions. Because of the nature of this highly invasive procedure, patients often face a long and difficult healing process that results in a hospital stay of at least a week, with recovery time ranging from six to eight weeks depending on the treatment required.

Laparoscopic or Minimally Invasive Surgery: In most laparoscopic abdominal surgeries, surgeons operate through 4 or 5 small openings (each about a ½ inch). A small video camera or “scope” is placed in one of the incisions, providing the surgeon with a magnified view of the patient’s internal organs on a television monitor. In some cases, one of the small openings may be lengthened to 2 or 3 inches to complete the procedure. Surgical instruments are placed in the other incisions allowing the surgeon to work inside and remove the diseased areas. Laparoscopic surgery offers many benefits over traditional “open” surgery. These benefits include:

• Less pain and scarring.
• Quicker recovery time.
• Shorter hospital stay.
• Better cosmetic results.

Patients considering “minimally invasive” surgery should consult with a surgeon experienced in laparoscopic techniques and has performed at least 20 laparoscopic procedures.