Surgery by laparoscopic means are, “minimally invasive” (“Key-hole”) procedures commonly used to treat – amongst others – diseases of the gastrointestinal – and the biliary tract. Unlike traditional surgery on the colon or other intra abdominal organs where a long incision down the center of the abdomen is required, laparoscopic surgery requires only small “keyhole” incisions in the abdomen. As a result, the person undergoing the procedure may experience less pain and scarring after surgery, and a more rapid recovery.
Three or more small (5-10 mm) incisions are made in the abdomen to allow access ports to be inserted. The laparoscope and surgical instruments are inserted through these ports. The surgeon then uses the laparoscope, which transmits a picture of the abdominal organs on a video monitor, allowing the operation to be performed.
Diseases of liver and gallbladder: Cysts or tumors of the liver as well as the gallbladder can be removed with this technique.
Hiatus hernia and reflux disease (“Heart-burn”). This problem is solved by folding part of the stomach around the esophagus, thus creating the necessary tightness, which prevents stomach contents to escape into the gullet.
Diseases of stomach and intestine. Stomach- or intestinal tumors can be dealt with by laparoscopic means.
Diverticulosis – Diverticulitis. Here the involved part of the colon is resected and the ends re-united by mechanical trans-anal anastomosis.
Right colectomy or Ileo-colectomy. During a right colectomy, the right side of the colon is removed. During an ileo-colectomy, the last segment of the small intestine - which is attached to the right side of the colon, called the ileum, is also removed. Used to remove cancers, noncancerous growths or polyps, and inflammation from Crohn's disease.
Total abdominal colectomy. Surgical removal of the large intestine. Used to treat ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, familial polyposis and possibly constipation.
Procto-sigmoidectomy. Surgical removal of a diseased section of the rectum and sigmoid colon. Used to treat cancers and noncancerous growths or polyps, and complications of diverticulitis.
Abdomino-perineal resection. Surgical removal of the anus, rectum and sigmoid colon. This is used to remove cancer in the lower rectum or in the anus, too close to the sphincter (control) muscles to allow resection and maintain continence of stool.
Surgical treatment of morbid obesity (gastric bypass or gastric sleeve). This reduces the size of the stomach and limits the amount of food that can be placed in the stomach.
