Intestinal Surgery

Traditional surgical treatment for many intestinal disorders requires a long abdominal incision and a lengthy recovery period. Laparoscopic surgery has been used for several years to treat gallbladder and gynecologic problems. The Laparoscopic Surgical Center of New York is now using laparoscopic techniques to perform intestinal surgery for many patients.

Who Is a Candidate for Laparoscopic Intestinal Surgery?

Anyone with a condition that requires removal of a large part of the intestine, including diverticulitis, Crohn's disease, some colorectal cancers, and rectal prolapse, may be a candidate for laparoscopic intestinal surgery.

If surgery is the form of treatment your doctor recommends, physicians at the Laparoscopic Surgical Center who specialize in this procedure can determine if laparoscopic surgery is appropriate for you.

How Is Laparoscopic Intestinal Surgery Performed?

Laparoscopic surgery uses a thin, telescope-like instrument called a laparoscope, which is inserted through a small incision at the umbilicus (belly button). The laparoscope is connected to a tiny video camera--smaller than a dime--which projects a view of the operative site onto video monitors located in the operating room. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide, a gas, to allow your surgeon a better view of the area he or she is operating on. Two or three additional small incisions are made near the laparoscope through which the surgeon inserts very small specialized surgical instruments. The surgeon manipulates these instruments to perform the operation. Following the procedure, the small incisions are closed with sutures and covered with surgical tape.

What Are the Benefits of Laparoscopic Intestinal Surgery?

• Three or four tiny scars instead of one large abdominal scar.
• Shorter hospital stay--many patients leave less than a week after surgery.
• Reduced pain after the operation.
• Shorter recovery time and a quicker return to daily activities, including work.

What Can I Expect after Surgery?

It is important to follow your doctor's instructions after surgery. You will need to take it easy for two to four weeks.