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South Nassau in the Community

04/13/2009

The Bellybutton: at the Center of a Surgical Revolution

Most surgeons who specialize in minimally-invasive, laparoscopic abdominal surgery need to make four small incisions to perform gallbladder surgery.

Rajeev Vohra, MD, FACS, chief of minimally-invasive surgery and bariatric surgery at South Nassau Communities Hospital, and Gregory Nishimura, MD, are among the few surgeons in the U.S. who don’t. They need only a single ½-inch incision in the bellybutton to perform gallbladder, as well as hernia, colon, spleen and lap band weight-loss surgeries.

The medical innovation that enables them to perform single-incision surgery is a revolutionary hand-controlled, high-dexterity laparoscopic device with three ultra-thin flexible tubes carrying a small camera and tiny cutting and clutching instruments.

As a result of the location and size of the single incision, the only remnant of surgery is a scar that can’t be seen. Dr. Vohra is quick to point out that additional benefits include minimal blood loss, reduced post-operative pain and faster recovery and healing.

“We are committed to using medical technologies and surgical techniques that allow us to perform many complex surgeries with minimal incisions, scarring, and patient recovery time,” said Dr. Vohra. “We work closely with our patients to explore the options that are available to them, and then we apply the surgical approach and technologies that will result in the best possible short- and long-term outcome.”

In addition to the single incision laparoscopic technique, South Nassau’s Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery specializes in the array of traditional minimally-invasive surgeries. This includes procedures for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), severe heartburn, hernias and diseases of the intestine, spleen, kidneys and adrenals. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call (516) 374-8631 or go to www.newyorkbariatrics.com.