More patients now opt for laparoscopic surgery

Author: wink news
Published: Updated:

FORT MYERS, Fla.- More than 600,000 surgical procedures are performed in the United States each year to treat a number of colon diseases, but they aren’t all invasive.

In fact, trends show more people are opting for laparoscopic surgery to treat a number of colon-related issues.

Dr. Kiet Doan explains more of the options.

Laparoscopic is becoming increasingly more popular than the open approach. Now, 51 percent of people get laparoscopic and only 49 percent get open.

The laparoscopic method uses several small incisions versus one long incision. There is a tiny camera attached to an instrument, allowing the surgeon see images on a TV monitor.

*Laparoscopic (minimally invasive) surgery can treat:
Colon cancer (100,000 new diagnosis of colon cancer each year)
Diverticulitis
Inflammatory bowel disease

*Advantages of laparoscopic colectomy (colon resection):
Less pain
Less scarring
Quicker recovery
Shorter hospital day – 3 or 4 days vs. 7 – 10 days
Start back on diet same day as surgery
Less risk of long term complications

*Who is a candidate for laparoscopic colectomy (colon resection)?
Almost everyone
Any age
Either gender

*Who cannot have a laparoscopic collectomy?
Anyone who has received multiple open abdominal operations, particularly large mesh or hernia.
Anyone with large tumors invading adjacent organs.

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