Single Port Surgeries Now Performed at University Medical Center at...( Advances Trend Toward Less-Invasive A...),Health

Advances Trend Toward Less-Invasive Approaches

PRINCETON, N.J., June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Advancing the trend toward ever less invasive surgery, University Medical Center at Princeton (www.princetonhcs.org) is now performing laparoscopic surgery by way of a single incision through the belly button -- becoming one of a handful of centers in the Northeastern United States to offer the procedure.

With virtually no visible scar, less pain and faster recovery time, "single port laparoscopic surgery" is an important medical advance that provides significant benefits for patients.

In traditional laparoscopic surgery, doctors make multiple "keyhole" incisions -- usually three or four -- in different sites on the body through which a specialized camera and surgical instruments are inserted. This method represented a clinical breakthrough when it came on the scene nearly 20 years ago, providing the first alternative to the long, open incisions normally associated with surgery. Patients, however, still had to recover from these multiple small incisions, and deal with the cosmetic issue of multiple scars.

In single port laparoscopic surgery, only one incision is made through the navel, with all instruments passing through that opening.

"This is the next advance of laparoscopic surgery, from multiple incisions to just a single incision in the belly button," said Henry Davison, MD, a board-certified surgeon who performs single port procedures at University Medical Center at Princeton. "This is where the technology is moving, and it's something people can take advantage of right now."

Dr. Davison has performed more than 30 single port surgeries since mastering the technique last fall. Gall bladder and appendix removals make up the vast majority of his single port procedures. The technique is also being used
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