One of the newest trends in minimally invasive surgery is to reduce the number of incisions needed using Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery techniques. We performed the first single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy at Overlake Hospital in June 2009. Since then we have been using single incision techniques to reduce the number of incisions needed on a variety of laparoscopic surgeries from 4 to 5 incisions down to 1 or 2 incisions. Currently we are performing SILS cholecystectomy using a single incision which leaves a virtually invisible scar.
If minimizing your scars and pain while still having the safest and most effective surgery is important to you, you should see us for an opinion regarding your surgery.
In Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery, as well as using the standard laparoscopic equipment, we use our experience in advanced laparoscopic surgery, angled instruments and laparoscopic suturing techniques to allow us to perform the exact same operation that usually takes four or more small incisions. In SILS, we pass multiple instruments along with the camera through a single incision that curves around the bellybutton (click here to see a video of SILS gallbladder surgery done by ILS surgeons).
For example, in traditional laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, four incisions are made in the abdomen... one by the belly button for the camera, one just under the ribcage near the center and two more on the right side. In Single Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, the camera and two instruments are passed through a single incision that curves around the belly button. Sutures are placed laparoscopically for "surgical exposure", replacing the usual extra incisions needed for additional instruments. At the end of the operation, the patient has a single incision where the scar will be hidden in the lines of the belly button.
Call (425) 453-7888 for more information or to schedule a consultation
For other surgeons: If you are interested in instruction in Single Incision Surgery, contact us at info@laparoscopyNW.com
Serving the Greater Seattle area including Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, and Renton. We currently see patients in Bellevue, Issaquah and Bellingham.Appointments available soon in Kirkland.
Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery is a fairly new technique that many patients and doctors don't understand well. The following questions are answered below:
- Why come to the Institute for Laparoscopic Surgery for SILS?
- What are the advantages of single incision laparoscopic surgery?
- What are the disadvantages of single incision laparoscopic surgery?
- Can you always do surgery with only one incision?
Q. Why come to the ILS for Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery?
A. Because of our experience. We were the first surgeons on the Eastside to perform SILS surgery. We performed the first SILS adrenalectomy in Washington state in 2009 and have extensive SILS/ single site laparoscopic experience in gallbladder, hernia and GI tract surgery.
Q. What are the advantages of Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery?. The only proven advantage is the cosmetic result of only having one incision, with the scar hidden in your bellybutton. Some surgeons believe that patients have less pain with 1 SILS incision compared to 3 or 4 standard port incisions.A. Not all laparoscopic surgeries can be done safely with just one incision but all can be approached using single incision techniques to reduce the number of incisions.
Q. What are the disadvantages of Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery?
A. There are no real disadvantages if your surgeon is experienced with single incision surgery and advanced laparoscopy. The surgery may take slightly longer compared to standard laparoscopic surgery (our first SILS laparoscopic gallbladder removal took 45 minutes rather than our usual 30 minutes).
Q. Can you always do laparoscopic surgery with a single incision?
A. Not all laparoscopic surgeries can be done safely with just one incision but all can be approached using single incision techniques to reduce the number of incisions.
