LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY

Laparoscopic surgery is a term that relates to the trained surgeon’s ability to operate through small incisions using special instruments that have cameras and cutting tools in the end. Instead of visualizing the area through an open incision, the trained surgeon views the area on a TV screen.

Typically, about three incisions less than 1/2 inch long are used. Carbon dioxide gas is used to bloat the stomach slightly which creates a larger working space within the abdomen. The same approach is used elsewhere in the body.  A tiny camera in the end of the laparoscope transmits an image to a TV screen near the operating table. Laparoscopic instruments are then inserted into additional incisions to retract, cut, suture, and staple.

The key benefit of laparoscopic surgery is that it decreases the size of incisions used by surgeons resulting in less pain and scarring, a shortened hospital stay and a faster and a recovery that is much less painful as less muscle and ligament tissue has been disrupted. Laparoscopic surgery is also sometimes referred to as Keyhole Surgery, Band-Aid Surgery or Minimally Invasive Surgery.

Laparoscopic surgeries offered in Anchorage, Alaska:

  • Diagnostic and exploratory Laparoscopy

  • Laparoscopic cholecystectomy or removal of gallbladder
    Used to treat symptomatic gallstones or sluge, biliary dyskinesia, gallstone pancreatitis
  • Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy
    Left side of the pancreas is removed to treat cystic and endocrine tumors

  • Laparoscopic Heller myotomy
    The muscle at the lower end of the esophagus is cut precisely to relieve difficulty swallowing (achalasia)
  • Laparoscopic fundoplication
    Used to rebuild the valve between the stomach and esophagus to stop gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
  • Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair and laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair
    Used to repair hiatal hernias and paraesophageal hernias
  • Laparoscopic gastrectomy
    portion of the stomach is removed to treat gastrointestinal stromal (GIST) tumors and small cancers of the stomach
  • Laparoscopic adrenalectomy
    Removal of the adrenal gland to treat tumors of the adrenal gland
  • Laparoscopic splenectomy
    Performed to remove the spleen to treat idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) , a blood disorder, splenic masses or cysts
  • Laparoscopic colectomy and laparoscopic colon resection
    Removal of part or all of the large intestine for benign conditions such as diverticulitis and large polyps, as well as colorectal cancers
  • Laparoscopic esophagectomy
    For esophageal cancers or obstructing masses
  • Laparoscopic hernia repair
    For primary or recurrent abdominal, inguinal, incisional hernias
  • Laparoscopic liver resection/microwave ablation/biopsy
    Used to obtain tissue samples, remove liver masses both benign and malignant

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call:

(907) 276-3676

or…

Request an Appointment

Contact Us

If you have questions or would like to make an appointment, please complete our online form or call our office at (907) 868-2075.