Laparoscopic Surgery and Other Minimally Invasive Procedures in Staten Island, NY
When a patient hears they need surgery, it can evoke many feelings. For some, it can bring about anxiety, stress, and worry. However, advancements in technology and surgical procedures have grown tremendously, allowing minimally invasive surgical methods that can ease anxieties and make treatment easier. Many conditions can be treated through minimally invasive surgery, including appendicitis, gallstones, fibroids, and others.
Richmond University Medical Center has the resources to complete laparoscopic surgery and other less invasive methods for patients throughout Staten Island, NY. Learn more about laparoscopic surgery, the conditions it can treat, the benefits of the procedure, and what is offered at RUMC.
What Is Laparoscopic Surgery?
Laparoscopic surgery (also called keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery) is a procedure that uses minimally invasive techniques to treat certain diseases and conditions. It uses special tools designed to be smaller in size, which allows them to reach certain body areas, like the abdomen or pelvis, through a small incision. To complete surgery, surgeons first make one or a few small cuts along the skin at the operation site. From there, they insert thin tubing into the incisions. This tubing is used as a guide to feed surgical instruments, a tube-like video camera, and a light into the body.
The camera used during this procedure is called a laparoscope, which provides real-time video of areas inside the body. The image the camera captures is streamed and projected onto a larger screen, which sits in the operating room. Surgeons watch this screen closely throughout the surgery. Laparoscopes are essential in allowing surgeons to guide tools accurately and efficiently through the area, which makes the surgery process smoother and more efficient.
Laparoscopic procedures also involve pumping gas into the affected space, which allows images to appear on-screen more clearly. Following surgery, this gas is released and incisions are closed up.
Because laparoscopic surgery uses smaller instruments, only a small incision is required to lead tools to the affected area. Incisions are usually only up to half an inch, and surgeons typically create very few incisions.
In some cases, a laparoscopic procedure can also be used to diagnose certain conditions. This is especially true if a patient needs a biopsy or other testing.
Additional laparoscopic technologies allow surgeries to be quicker and more accurate. For example, the robotic surgery team at RUMC uses a computer-assisted robotic system, which uses robotic arms to complete surgery. Surgeons use a computer console to control the arms and guide them through the procedure. A 3D image of the body area is shown to provide efficient visibility and accurate cuts. Technologies like robotic arms allow greater precision.
Conditions Treated By Surgery
Minimally invasive procedures and techniques are incredibly versatile, meaning they can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions. With the use of certain tools, surgeons can effectively target many diseases and infections, including:
- Appendicitis
- Gallstones
- Fibroids
- Crohn’s disease
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Hernias
- Stomach ulcers
In some cases, minimally invasive surgery can also work to remove cancerous and benign tumors from certain body areas. For patients with cancer, additional treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be needed alongside surgery. This is because surgery may not work to remove the entire tumor.
Benefits of Having Minimally Invasive Surgery
Because minimally invasive surgery requires only a small incision, patients can experience less scarring. Minimally invasive methods also can decrease internal scarring, which can help patients avoid complications and other post-surgical issues.
Minimally invasive surgery can also help patients feel fewer debilitating symptoms following surgery so they can recover and heal from their surgery quickly. Patients can decrease the length of their hospital stay and get back to everyday activities sooner.
Minimally invasive surgery is completed while the patient is under anesthesia. This means patients feel no pain during the procedure, and they can feel comfortable knowing they will fall asleep and wake up ready to heal.
This type of procedure can be an ideal option for certain candidates. For example, older patients can receive treatment with fewer complications or infections. Those who are overweight can also benefit from minimally invasive efforts, as surgeons will not have to cut through excess tissue to reach the affected site, which can lead to serious complications or infections. Additionally, if a patient has an existing chronic condition, minimally invasive surgery can be beneficial. This is because those with chronic conditions are already taking medications to manage their disease. Having minimally invasive surgery can prevent patients from having to add more medications and treatments to their care plan.
There are some instances in which minimally invasive surgery may not even require a visible incision. Instead, surgeons can use the body’s natural crevices, like the belly button, to insert tools and allow scarring to be minimal and unnoticeable. Those who complete this type of minimally invasive surgery typically experience an even shorter recovery period.
Surgery can be a scary concept for some patients. Offering minimally invasive procedures is a way to ease patient anxieties, as they know surgeons are not making large incisions and cutting into other muscles and tissues to access the affected area.
Types of Surgeries Performed With Minimally Invasive Techniques
Many common procedures can be completed using minimally invasive techniques:
Appendectomy
An appendectomy is a common surgery used to treat appendicitis, a condition that arises when the appendix becomes infected. Patients who experience appendicitis must have their appendix removed through emergency surgery. This is called an appendectomy. Without it, the appendix poses a risk of bursting, which can lead to many health complications and difficulties.
With recent advancements in technology, appendectomies can be performed using minimally invasive techniques. Surgeons use a laparoscope to see inside the body and appendix, allowing surgeons to efficiently remove the affected part. However, if a surgeon goes to complete surgery and discovers that the patient’s condition is worse than expected, they may opt to complete an open appendectomy instead.
Cholecystectomy
A cholecystectomy is a procedure to remove the gallbladder for patients who experience infections, inflammation, or pain. To complete the surgery, surgeons make incisions on the abdomen near the right side, which is where the gallbladder is located. Similar to other minimally invasive procedures, a cholecystectomy uses a laparoscope to view the inside of the body. The gallbladder is then removed using small, thin surgical instruments.
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is a type of surgery that removes the womb. It is used to treat certain gynecological conditions, such as debilitating period pain, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). A hysterectomy can also be beneficial for those with cervical cancers or a family history of cancer.
This minimally invasive surgery uses a hysteroscope, which is a small camera that is inserted inside the uterine cavity. During the procedure, surgeons may also remove other reproductive parts, like the ovaries, cervix, or fallopian tubes.
Lumbar Spine Surgery
While surgeons can perform many types of minimally invasive spine surgery, lumbar spine surgery is the most common. Lumbar spine surgery is a spinal procedure that is completed on the lower back. It is used to remove herniated discs or to complete spinal fusion surgery.
Laparoscopic Surgery and More at Richmond University Medical Center
The team of certified surgeons at Richmond University Medical Center has the resources and expertise to complete laparoscopic surgery for a variety of conditions, including spine disorders, cancerous conditions, gastroenterology disorders, and others. With a specialized department that focuses only on minimally invasive surgeries, patients can receive quality care and treatment for their issues. With specified training in the latest advancements and techniques for laparoscopic surgery, our surgeons help patients achieve efficient relief from their symptoms and make a full recovery.
Fredrick Sabido, MD, FACS, is the head of the Minimally Invasive Surgery Division at Richmond University Medical Center. Dr. Sabido is a current and active member of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES).
RUMC can also complete other surgeries, such as:
Contact Us Today for an Appointment
Serving the Staten Island, NY, area with technologically advanced treatment methods for many conditions, Richmond University Medical Center can assist patients with creating a care plan that eliminates uncomfortable symptoms, allowing patients to return to a comfortable, healthy daily life. To learn more about laparoscopic surgery, minimally invasive procedures, and other services we offer at our locations on Staten Island, contact us today or make an appointment.
