6/30/2009

Single-Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (Gallbladder) Removal Provides Quickest Recovery Time

(LOUISVILLE, KY)  Making surgery less invasive has just moved another step forward with the single-incision laparoscopic (SILS) cholecystectomy (gallbladder) procedure. As seen on this season’s final episode of “Grey’s Anatomy” on TV, the non-invasive procedure was performed by University of Louisville Professor of Surgery Joseph Buell, M.D., at Jewish Hospital on May 8, 2009.

The 19-year-old patient Emily Ostrowski was the first to undergo the one-hour SILS technique, with her gallbladder removed through her umbilicus (navel).  The new technique offers cosmetic advantages while still maintaining the benefits of laparoscopy surgery. 

“The single-incision surgery is a safe and effective way for the removal of the gallbladder and we plan to use this for more advanced surgeries, as well such as liver, pancreas and kidney surgeries,” said Buell.  “With Ms. Ostrowski’s procedure, we were even able to keep her belly ring intact and once the navel is healed, she will have an almost invisible scar.  Non-invasive procedures provide less risk to the patient, less scarring, less pain, less blood loss and less recovery time.”
 
In a traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy, incisions are made in the abdomen with one on the rim of the navel, one beneath the navel and two beneath the navel and to the right side. The laparoscope and surgical instruments are passed into the interior of the abdomen to aid the surgeon in removal of the gallbladder. A patient would expect to be off work for about two weeks.

In the single-incision laparoscopic surgical procedure, the laparoscope and all of the instruments are inserted through one incision in the navel that is two centimeters in size.  The procedure, which takes about 35 minutes, is performed on an outpatient basis and patients can return to work later that same week.
  
ABOUT JEWISH HOSPITAL

Jewish Hospital is an internationally renowned high-tech tertiary referral center developing leading-edge advancements in hand and microsurgery, heart and lung care, home care, rehab medicine (including sports medicine), orthopaedics, neuroscience, occupational health, organ transplantation and outpatient and primary care.  Site of the world’s first successful hand transplant, and the world’s first and second successful AbioCor® Implantable Replacement Heart procedures, the hospital is also federally designated to perform all five solid organ transplants – heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas. In 2008, the hospital was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the Best 50 Hospitals in the U.S. in heart and heart surgery; neurology and neurosurgery; and respiratory disorders.