Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery
Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach is one of the only handful institutions in the nation to provide the latest minimally invasive surgery known as single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS). Instead of using multiple key holes, this technique utilizes a single incision in a naturally hidden area, mostly commonly around the belly button. In single-incision surgery, the laparoscope and all of the instruments are inserted through one 1.5-2 cm incision within the navel.
The major advantage of this approach is that it provides virtually a “scarless” surgery. The patient recovers with an almost invisible scar in the umbilical area. Patients also generally experience less pain and blood loss, and a shorter recovery time, than with open surgery.
Currently Miller Children’s employs this technique in removing the gallbladder, spleen, and appendix.
The most common single-incision surgery done at Miller Children’s is single-incision cholecystomy (gallbladder removal). In this procedure the pediatric surgeon makes one tiny incision instead of four. In traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy, four incisions are made in the abdomen—one on the rim of the navel, one beneath the navel and two beneath the navel and to the right side. Using a single incision offers cosmetic advantages as well as minimizes pain, infection and recovery time, while maintaining the traditional benefits of laparoscopy.
A total or partial single-incision laparoscopic spleenectomy, is the removal of the spleen or parts of the spleen, through laparoscopic surgery with just one incision within the belly button. The pediatric surgeon uses surgical instruments, with the assistance of a tiny camera and video monitor, to remove the enlarged spleen through that one tiny incision. This procedure reduces healing time and leaves an “invisible” scar.
Single-incision laparoscopic spleenectomies have been used more frequently in recent years, in patients with enlarged spleens. Patients with enlarged spleens usually have more severe hematologic diseases and are at a greater risk of infection. Single-incision laparoscopic spleenectomy is associated with reduced level of post-operative pain, decreased transfusion rates and shorter hospital stays than when the open approach is used.
The single-incision laparoscopic (minimally invasive) appendectomy surgical technique involves making one tiny incision in the abdomen and inserts surgical instruments and a miniature camera that projects a magnified image of the area onto a television monitor to help guide the surgeons as they remove the appendix. Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomies are associated with reduced level of post-operative pain, decreased transfusion rates and shorter hospital stays than when the open approach is used.
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