general surgery2

LESSINVASIVE.COM

An Online Resource for Less Invasive
& Minimally Invasive Procedures & Surgeries

Less invasive esophagectomy - removal of esophagus due to cancer or dysplasia (growth of abnormal appearing cells).
Less invasive fistulotomy - correction of a fistula or communicating hole from the anal canal to the skin.
Less invasive gastrectomy - partial or total removal of the stomach as treatment for ulcers, cancer.
Heller myotomy - a minimally invasive procedure to relax the lower esophageal sphinter for patients with difficulty swallowing.
Less invasive hernia repair - the use of surgical mesh to repair abdominal wall weakening.
Less invasive vagotomy - surgical treatment for peptic ulcers to relieve heartburn by disabling acid secreting glands.
Less invasive Nissen Fundoplication - surgical strengthening of the valve between the stomach and the esophagus to prevent acid reflux or GERD. Can be performed robotically.
A study published in the October 05 issue of Archives of Surgery, less invasive anti- reflux surgery is effective in relieving the symptoms associated with GERD. Patients in this study also reported a high level of satisfaction 5 years after the procedure, read more...

A recent study published in the March issue of Laryngoscope has shown that two minimally invasive techniques for removing diseased thyroids are safe and effective for many patients. During one method of this less invasive thyroidectomy, surgeons operate through 1.5 to 2 inch incisions to remove the diseased thyroid. The other minimally invasive procedure employs an even smaller incision to provide access for a thin, ultrasonic scalpel that's guided by a tiny video camera at the tip of the instrument. "Both work well; both have a place in a usual practice," study author Dr. David J. Terris, chairman of the department of otolaryngology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, said in a prepared statement.
Terris studied 31 patients who had minimally invasive removal of the thyroid gland, and 14 patients treated with the ultrasonic scalpel. While most patients would prefer a less invasive method for thyroid removal, some will always require the standard approach, Terris said. This includes patients whose thyroid has grown too large to be removed through a small opening. Terris said about 30 percent of patients in his practice require the standard approach, which requires a larger incision and moving aside the underlying muscle to remove the thyroid. Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy ( MIRP) - the gold standard in removing parathyroid tumors, read more...

Less invasive hepatic resections are currently being employed for benign and malignant lesions of the liver. A less invasive approach is currently the standard for the management of hepatic cysts. In addition to hepatic cysts, benign lesions such as adenoma and symptomatic hemangioma or focal nodular hyperplasia are now routinely excised by a less invasive approach, (Gamblin, T.C & Geller, D.A. laparoscopic liver resection update 2005).

Minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation for small liver tumors - a 3 year study done at the University of Pisa, Italy, has shown that this less invasive procedure is just as effective as surgical removal for overall recurrence and survival. Read more about this minimally invasive treatment for liver tumors.

Less invasive pancreatectomy (distal) - removal of the head of the pancreas due to cancer, pancreatitis, trauma, or pseudocyst.
Less invasive small bowel resection - surgical removal of the small bowel to treat an obstruction, tumor, trauma, crohns's disease, ischemic or dead bowel.
Less invasive splenectomy - surgical removal of the spleen due to trauma, splenomegaly or enlargement of the spleen, abcess, Idiopathic thrombocytopenia, splenic vein/ artery blood clot, or spherocytosis.
Less invasive thyroidectomy - surgical resection of the thyroid gland due to disease or tumor.