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Surgery With Fewer Scars

By Holly Ames/Medstar

Even minimally invasive surgeries can leave scars where the tools are inserted. Now there’s a new way to do certain surgeries and it barely leaves a mark. Surgery With Fewer Scars

Published: Thu, September 06, 2007 - 12:28 pm Last Updated: Thu, September 06, 2007 - 12:32 pm

Mary Armstrong is recovering from gallbladder surgery. Her surgery was done using only one incision at the belly button, instead of the four incisions typically needed for that type of surgery.

This new technique is pioneered by Dr. Paul Curcillo. “Traditionally, we would have to have a hole for each instrument that we used." A new surgical tool means Mary's procedure scarcely left a trace.

Dr. Curcillo says, “The instruments we have now bend at the ends. They're like wrists or fingers inside the abdomen."

Previously, rigid laparoscopic tools had to be placed in specific spots to intersect with the organ being operated on. With the new instruments, the tools all enter at the belly button and then curve to reach the target.

“This will allow us to adapt to the patient's anatomy, and although 95 percent of the patients are the same, the 5 percent that aren't, we can now do whatever we have to do."

That means patients can enjoy an easier recovery, with barely a mark to show they had surgery. The single incision technique has also been used to remove ovaries and appendixes, and also for a hysterectomy.

FAST FACTS:
• About 12 percent of Americans are affected by gallstones.
• 500,000 Americans have gallbladder surgery annually.
• The majority of gallbladders are removed through laparoscopic surgery, using about four tiny incisions.
• Surgeons are now able to perform gallbladder removal through a single incision hidden in the belly button – leaving no visible scar on the patient’s
abdomen.