Benefits of Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopy has always been a preferred form of operation over traditional surgical methods as the incisions made here are smaller than traditional surgery scars, and entail a faster recovery period. However, advancements in science and technology have introduced a far better, faster, and safer means of surgery, called single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS).

Single-incision surgery is an innovative method, which is perhaps the first step towards using traditional flexible endoscopes in minimally invasive surgery. It uses natural orifices of the human body as entry points for the surgery. At present, three routes to the peritoneal cavity are being researched; transgastric, transcolonic and transvaginal.

Procedure

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is keyhole surgery where all the instruments required for the surgery are inserted through a single half-inch cut on the umbilicus, which is basically a natural scar. Even any organ extraction that is required is done through the same area, leaving behind practically no visible scars on the abdomen

A flexible scope and instruments that easily move in the body, and which can produce images from practically all angles are used in single incision laparoscopic surgery. This instrument provides surgeons with a larger field view and helps them avoid collision of different instruments that generally occur in small spaces during an operation.

Benefits

This is a great improvement and advancement over conventional laparoscopy where instead of only one incision, 3-4 small incisions are made on the abdomen. This in turn means that single incision laparoscopic surgery is less painful and provides speedy recovery when compared to conventional laparoscopy.

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is most beneficial to kidney donors who are healthy people wishing to do good by donating their organs. With this surgery, they can now donate their organs without much pain or complications, and best cosmetic results.

SILS technique is also widely used for removing kidney tumors, damaged kidneys, adrenal glands and also to treat some congenital urological disorders. The only important factor to remember here is that the procedure should be performed by an expert and trained personnel as the operation is performed through a single incision and thus, limited space.