Laparoscopic repair of hernia in the groin (Inguinal hernia)

An inguinal hernia, or hernia in the groin, occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. In the case of an inguinal hernia, the weak spot is a narrow opening in the inguinal canal in the groin. The resulting bulge can be painful, especially when one coughs, bends over or lifts a heavy object. An inguinal hernia does not improve on its own and can lead to life-threatening complications. A laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair uses three small incisions for two working ports and a camera. The operation returns any tissue to its normal anatomic location, permanently reduces the bulge and patches the defect with screen or mesh. The mesh allows for the strongest possible repair with the least amount of recurrences. Typically, Dr. Muffoletto's patients return to normal activity within two weeks of the repair.

 

Laparoscopic repair of a hernia at the belly button (Umbilical hernia)

An umbilical hernia occurs when part of the intestine or fatty tissue bulges through the muscle near the belly button (navel, umbilicus). The laparoscopic repair requires only three or four small incisions in order to return all bulging tissue to its normal anatomy and fixate a mesh over the defect reducing the risk for any future hernia.

 

Laparoscopic repair of a hernia in the middle of the abdomen (Ventral Hernia)

A ventral hernia results from a weakness in the middle of the abdominal wall. Typically, a bulge will occur above the belly button and below the breast plate. The bulge is a result of tissue and/or intestine that is bulging from the hernia. The laparoscopic repair reduces all tissue from the hernia site and fixates a mesh over the defect. Trying to suture the hernia closed without mesh quite often leads to tension and a recurrence.

 

Laparoscopic repair of a hernia at an incision site (Incisional Hernia)

An incisional hernia occurs as a result from a complication from a prior surgery. Incisions can create a weakness in the abdominal wall. This weakness results in tissue or intestine bulging through the scar, which can be potentially life threatening. The laparoscopic incisional hernia repair uses three or four small incisions in order to dissect all protruding tissues from hernia defect. This dissection can often be very challenging and requires laparoscopic experience and expertise. The defect is then patched with mesh material to help prevent recurrence.

 

Laparoscopic repair of a hernia in the femoral canal  (Femoral Hernia)

A femoral hernia usually occurs when fatty tissue or a part of the bowel pokes through a small defect in the groin through a space called the femoral canal. The femoral canal is near the femoral vein, which is located near the inner thigh. These hernias can be difficult to diagnose because they sometimes only present as pain in the inner groin without a lump. Similar to the laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, all tissue and/or bowel must be dissected carefully removed from the femoral space and mesh is used to cover the defects. 

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Laparoscopic Paraesophageal/Hiatal Repair

The hiatus is a normal opening in the diaphragm which allows important structures such as the esophagus and the aorta to pass between the chest cavity and the abdomen. The diaphragm is a muscular wall that separates these two cavities. When the muscles surrounding the hiatus get overly stretched, structures like the stomach are able to move through the hiatal opening. A paraesophageal hernia is when part of the stomach comes along side of the esophagus and squeezes through the hiatal hernia up in to the chest. These types of hernias can be dangerous because the part of the stomach stuck in the hernia may be cut off from its normal blood supply leading to injury. Symptoms include: chest pain, epigastric pain, cardiac arrhythmia, shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing and ulcer formation. This condition will need to be corrected by dissecting the stomach out of the chest and positioning it back into the normal abdominal cavity. The muscles of the hiatus will need to be sewed back together and sometimes patched with a biological mesh. This procedure can be done through five small incisions using small instruments and a camera.  

 

Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication/Hiatal Hernia Repair

A laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a minimal invasive technique used to treat debilitating gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. GERD may develop when part of the stomach slides through a hiatal hernia up into the chest and allows for stomach acid to reflux more readily into the esophagus. This acid can be very corrosive to the esophagus and cause mucosal injury and pain. A Nissen fundoplication repairs the hiatal hernia and wraps part of the stomach around the esophagus in order to create a greater pressure zone at the gastroesophageal junction and prevent acid from refluxing back up. 

 

Laparoscopic removal of the appendix (Appendectomy)

The appendix is a small, tube-shaped pouch coming off of the colon and is located in the right lower side of your abdomen. The appendix can get obstructed causing an emergency inflammatory condition known as appendicitis. A laparoscopic appendectomy uses three small incisions for two working ports and a camera in order to remove the appendix before it ruptures. 

 

Laparoscopic removal of the Gallbladder (Cholecystectomy)

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gallbladder through four small incisions. Removal of the gallbladder is a common treatment of symptomatic gallstones and other gallbladder conditions. An intraoperative cholangiogram is a procedure where a small catheter is placed into the cystic duct and dye is injected in order to display the entire ductal anatomy coming from the gallbladder and the liver. The procedure is useful for preventing ductal injury and to determine if any gallstones have dropped out of the gallbladder and remain lodged in the ductal system which may cause future obstruction.

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Laparoscopic removal of a portion of the intestine (Colectomy)

A colectomy is a type of surgery used to treat a variety of colon diseases. These conditions may include inflammation, infection, bleeding, compromised blood supply and cancer. Laparoscopy provides a delicate dissection without the necessity of a big incision. 

 

Laparoscopic removal of an adrenal gland (Adrenalectomy)

The adrenal glands are two small organs, one located above each kidney. These glands secrete hormones that regulate many bodily functions, including the immune system, metabolism, blood sugar levels and blood pressure control. Sometimes the adrenal gland needs to be removed due to functional benign tumors and/or cancer. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a minimal invasive technique requiring just three small incisions to remove the gland.