Laparoscopy

A laparoscope is a small telescope, usually introduced into the abdominal cavity through a small cut in the umbilicus (belly button) in the operating room, under anesthesia.  The telescope is connected to a small video camera, which projects the image onto a television screen in the operating room.  Surgeons can then place additional small instruments through other tiny cuts, in order to perform surgical procedures.

Procedures Performed
Our surgeons routinely perform simple and complex laparoscopic operations on children, including:

• Appendectomy
• Hernia evaluations and repairs
• Pyloromyotomies for the treatment of pyloric stenosis
• Ovarian cyst and tumor operations
• Nissen fundoplications to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Splenectomies
• Intestinal resections
• Placement of feeding tubes, such as gastrostomies and jejunostomies
• Cholecystectomies (gall bladder removals)
• Biopsies (including liver and other organs)
• Diagnostic laparoscopies to evaluate undescended testicles
• Pullthrough procedures for Hirschsprung's disease

Advantages
Although somewhat controversial, purported advantages of laparoscopic surgery in children include reduced pain, quicker recovery from surgery, faster discharge from the hospital, and a more rapid return to school and normal activity.  Many children are able to return to full unrestricted activity in as little as one to two weeks.