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Single Incision Laparoscopic Colon Surgery

New Technique

Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery For Colon Removal

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center is among the first in the country to offer leading-edge surgery to treat a variety of colon problems through a single incision.

The new procedure involves a single, approximately one inch incision made at the navel. Surgeons place a round port thru the incision that allows access for the instruments needed to remove parts or all of the intestine or colon. Traditional laparoscopic colectomy involves three to four small incisions. Fewer incisions can mean fewer scars and less pain after the operation and possibly less chance of infection. This new technique is being hailed as the latest advancement in minimally invasive GI surgery.

Dr. Deborah Nagle, chief of colorectal surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, was one of the first in the country to perform single incision laparoscopic colectomies in 2008. She leads training for other surgeons in the US. Most patients who have the surgery laparoscopically spend less time in the hospital than those who have open surgery. Depending on the severity of disease, some patients may go home the next day and fully recover within a couple of weeks.

Removal of all or part of the colon may be necessary to treat disease such as cancer, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, bleeding, or blockage. Generally, patients who are candidates for a laparoscopic colectomy would be candidates for this single incision technique. Patients who are candidates for standard multi-port laparoscopic colectomy may be a candidate for single port technique. Talk to your doctor about whether you are a candidate for this new technique.

Beth Israel Deaconess also uses the same single-incision technique to perform some gallbladder, weight loss and gynecological surgeries.

Frequently Asked Questions

To read commonly asked questions about single incision laparoscopic colectomy answered by Dr. Deborah Nagle, Chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, click here.