Laparoscopic Procedures
Adrenal Surgery
One or both adrenal glands may need to be removed surgically when the body produces too much of the adrenal hormones (in conditions like aldosteronoma, Conn’s syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome, or a growing mass). Cooper surgeons routinely use laparascopy for this procedure.
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VIDEO > View video of Doctor Mark J. Pello performing a minimally invasive HAL (Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic) procedure for bowel resection.
WARNING: This clip contains video of actual surgical procedures which may be disturbing to some viewers. |
Appendix Surgery
Appendicitis is an infection in the appendix. When complications such as bursting (perforation), inflammation (peritonitis), or an abscess are likely, the appendix must be removed surgically. Cooper surgeons can use laparascopy to remove the appendix.
Colon Surgery
With traditional surgery, removing part of the colon is a major operation. Cooper surgeons often use laparascopy to do the same operation through many tiny incisions. Laparoscopy can be used for diverticulosis of the colon, inflammatory stricture of the intestine (such as Crohn’s disease), and polyps that are too large to be removed by colonoscopy. Laparoscopic surgery for certain colon cancers is becoming more common.
Gallbladder Surgery
Cholesterol and bile salts (bilirubin) can accumulate in the gallbladder or bile ducts to form gallstones. If gallstones continue to grow, they can cause pain, nausea or vomiting, bloating, and indigestion. Once gallstones start causing symptoms, surgery to remove the gallbladder and the gallstones within it (cholecystectomy) is recommended. Cooper surgeons usually use laparoscopy laparascopy to remove the gallbladder and gallstones.
Hernia Surgery
When an abdominal hernia causes pain or becomes twisted and cannot return to its normal location (incarceration), it must be repaired surgically. If blood supply to the area becomes constricted (strangulated hernia), emergency surgery is necessary.
Cooper surgeons use laparascopy to repair a hernia through small incisions in the skin in the area above the hernia. They use mesh to reinforce the muscles around the hernia. Laparoscopy is ideal for people with recurrent hernias or hernias on both sides, or people with very active lifestyles who need to return to normal activity within a few days.
Reflux Surgery
Surgery is sometimes recommended for serious or severely symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) that has not responded to other treatments like lifestyle/diet modification and drugs. Endoscopy may be used to examine the esophagus to determine whether surgery can help. Laparascopy has transformed treatment for severe GERD. Cooper surgeons now perform a laparoscopic procedure (fundoplication) with a few tiny incisions instead of a major abdominal cut that leaves a long scar.
Spleen Surgery
People with certain blood disorders may need to have their spleen removed (spleenectomy). Cooper surgeons routinely use laparascopy to remove the spleen.