By Gary M. Bunch, M.D., F.A.C.S. –
The thought of any surgery can seem overwhelming and maybe even frightening. If you are facing an upcoming surgery, one thing to keep in mind is that many surgeries are much less complicated today than they once were. Long gone are the unsightly scars and weeks or months of recovery from open surgery procedures.
Minimally invasive technology and techniques are transforming the way many doctors perform surgery. In the past, open surgery was the only option available when doctors needed to see inside a patient’s body or remove or repair organs or tissue. Patients who have traditional open surgery typically face large incisions, significant hospital stays, lengthy recoveries and the risk of complications. That’s no longer the case. Today, surgeons make small incisions or “ports” and perform minimally invasive procedures whenever possible. These procedures can accomplish the same results as traditional surgery but can be much less traumatic to patients.
Minimally invasive surgeries maximize relief of symptoms while minimizing surgical trauma. There are many health issues that can now be corrected using minimally invasive surgery. Bradenton Surgical Group offers a full range minimally invasive procedures that address problems in nearly every part the body. Some of the most common minimally invasive procedures performed include:
Abdominal Surgery. Traditional surgery to remove the gallbladder or appendix involves a large incision in the abdomen. Surgeons then open the body so they can see, dissect and remove the diseased organ. Now, doctors can make small incisions in the belly button and abdomen and use a tiny camera and instruments to view the surgical site and remove the organ through the belly button.
Colorectal Surgery. Many patients with colon diseases, including polyps, inflammatory bowel disease and diverticulitis, can avoid the large 8- to 10- inch incisions associated with open surgery by undergoing minimally invasive procedures. Doctors can use innovative techniques and tools to remove polyps or diseased portions of the colon.
Hemorrhoid Surgery. Some patients with hemorrhoids try to live with their discomfort because traditional surgery can be very painful. A new procedure called Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids (PPH) is less invasive and offers patients much more comfort. During PPH, doctors cut away some of the excess tissue that causes patients’ symptoms and use a special stapling device to lift and reposition tissue in the anal canal. PPH reduces blood flow to the hemorrhoids. Over a period of weeks, the hemorrhoids shrink and become less painful. As an added benefit, doctors can often remove all of a patient’s hemorrhoids during one PPH procedure. Surgeons can only remove a few hemorrhoids during traditional surgery so patients often need multiple surgeries.
Hernia Surgery. New minimally invasive techniques are improving the outlook for patients with abdominal or inguinal hernias. These hernias occur when the internal organs protrude through weaknesses in the abdominal wall or the groin area. Historically, patients with hernias often had open surgery so doctors could find and close the defect and reposition the organs. Patients who had bilateral hernias, or hernias on both sides of the body, usually needed two surgeries. Now, however, doctors can make small incisions in the abdomen, insert cameras into the openings, locate the hernia and use a mesh device to reinforce the weakened area. Doctors can often correct bilateral hernias during one minimally invasive procedure.
Adrenal Surgery. In the past, surgeons made incisions in the abdomen or back to reach the adrenal glands, which are located near the kidneys, and removed benign tumors or tumors related to Cushing’s syndrome. Now, doctors at Bradenton Surgical Group can use minimally invasive techniques and tools to remove these tumors.
Parathyroid Surgery. Doctors can perform a less invasive two-step procedure to remove parathyroid glands or tumors. During these procedures, patients are given a radioactive isotope dye, which is absorbed by the abnormal parathyroid gland. Surgeons then use a gamma probe to locate and remove the diseased gland. Doctors can make smaller incisions along the neckline when they perform minimally invasive parathyroid surgery. Traditional surgery requires a longer incision because doctors have to view all four parathyroid glands to visually identify the abnormal gland.
No longer do you have to sit around denying yourself a much needed surgery because of complications, scaring and recovery time. Consulting with an experienced surgeon about minimally invasive procedure options may get you the relief you need and help get you back in the game of life within a matter of days!
Bradenton Surgical Group
941-744-2700
www.BradentonSurgicalGroup.com