Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery

SILS (Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery) is not practiced widely amongst surgeons in the UAE (more mainstream in the USA). It is known by other names such as SIPES (Single Incision Pediatric Endoscopic Surgery), or LESS (Laparo-endoscopic single site). The surgery requires special skills and equipment and can be technically challenging.

Principles

In this type of surgery, a single incision is made within the umbilical dimple (belly button). Since this is a pre-existing scar in all humans, and no additional scars are made on the abdomen, surgery can be described as “scarless”. When healed, the wound becomes completely invisible. Usually without the prior knowledge that a previous surgery has been done, even an examining physician will not be able to tell. This is why it is considered “scarless”.

Day time wetting

Applicability

It is applicable to surgery on the abdomen. Almost all types of surgery can be considered for this approach, even complicated, major bowel surgery. Dr Ba’Ath have previously implemented this approach in different procedures:

Appendectomy
Cholecystectomy
Ovarian/Para-tubal Cyst excision
Right hemicolectomy
Subtotal colectomy
Splenectomy
Fundoplication
Repair of inguinal hernia
Repair of Mortgagni Hernia
Reduction of intussusception

This list is expanding. Below are examples of what the wound looks like in patients operated on by Dr Ba’Ath.

Benefits

Besides the cosmetic benefit, the procedure allows the surgeon to do part of the procedure in almost an open, traditional way, as the umbilicus permits making relatively large hidden incisions. It does also have all the benefits of laparoscopic surgery: reduced pain, quicker recovery, less wound infections etc, except it is only better!