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Laparoscopy

The physicians of Austin Surgeons have pioneered the use of laparoscopic surgery in Austin, performing some of the first procedures in the area. Laparoscopy, or laparoscopic surgery, is known as “Minimally Invasive Surgery” and is performed on organs and structures of the abdominal cavity through small incisions. A camera, or “scope”, is inserted through one of these small incisions so the structures in the abdomen can be seen on a video monitor. Slim instruments are placed through other small incisions to carry out the surgical procedure. Laparoscopy is performed under general anesthesia. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery over traditional, or “open”, surgery include less scarring, less post-operative pain, and quicker recovery.

We perform many different types of surgery with laparoscopy. Examples include gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy), appendectomy, hernia repair, removal of part of the colon (colectomy) or small intestine, surgery for acid-reflux disease (fundoplication), removal of adrenal glands, and removal of the spleen.

The surgeon evaluates each case to determine if laparoscopy is appropriate. There may be situations where laparoscopy cannot be performed, and the surgery must be done with the traditional open technique, through a longer incision, directly with the surgeon’s hands and standard instruments. It is always possible that a laparoscopic surgery will require switching to an open technique.

As with all surgeries, there are risks of complications associated with laparoscopic surgery. They include bleeding, infection, injury to organs or other structures, scar tissue formation, obstruction of the bowel, hernias, and complications related to anesthesia.