Radiofrequency Liver Ablation

In radiofrequency liver ablation, tumor cells are destroyed by inserting a probe.

Adrenalectomy

An adrenalectomy is the removal of one or both adrenal glands through several small abdominal incisions.

Appendectomy

In a minimally invasive appendectomy, the appendix is removed through several small abdominal incisions.

Ulcer Disease Surgery

When ulcers do not heal after extensive medication therapy or present complications such as severe bleeding, perforation or obstructions, surgery may be required.

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery is used to make the stomach smaller and allow food to bypass part of the small intestine for patients who are morbidly obese and other weight loss techniques have been unsuccessful. Two types of minimally invasive gastric bypass options are available at Mount Carmel – both have proven safe and effective.

Roux-en-Y – This procedure is usually done using six small incisions in the abdomen. The stomach is partitioned into two parts using a surgical stapler. The upper part forms a small pouch which will receive food. The pouch is then connected to the roux limb of the small bowel, resulting in a bypass of the stomach and small intestine. The hospital stay is usually 2 days. 

Adjustable Gastric Banding – gastric banding is the least invasive form of weight loss surgery. Using small incisions in the abdomen, a silicone band is placed around the stomach to create a small pouch. The band is connected to an access port placed just beneath the skin. Adjustments can be made to inflate or deflate the band after surgery by adding or removing saline in the band through the access port. Because no permanent changes are made to the body's physiology, the procedure can be reversed if necessary by removing the band and access port and allowing the stomach to return to its original size.

Cholecystectomy

The most common way that gallbladders are removed today is laparoscopic surgery in which several small incisions are made in the abdomen. Patients generally have an overnight stay in the hospital and return to normal activities within 10 which involves one larger abdominal incision. Open surgery, however, may be the best alternative for patients whose blood does not clot well or patients with abnormal anatomy or too much scarring from previous surgeries. An open procedure may also be used when complications are found during laparascopic surgery.

Cholecytojejunostomy

A cholecytojejunostomy is performed to relieve painful blockages due to pancreatic cancer. In this procedure, the gallbladder is connected directly to the small intestine and the pancreas is bypassed using several small incisions in the abdomen.

Gastronomy

Gastronomy is a minimally invasive procedure in which a tube is placed through the abdomen into the stomach to provide a route for feedings or to allow the stomach to be drained.

Hernia Repair

A hernia is a weakness in a muscle wall through which organs can protrude. Most hernias occur in the groin, although some may occur in the navel, upper inner thigh, diaphragm or along previous abdominal incisions. In laparoscopic procedures, the hernia is repaired using several small incisions.

Pancreatectomy

One of the following types of surgery may be used to take out the tumor:

• Whipple procedure: the head of the pancreas, gallbladder, part of the stomach, part of the small intestine and the bile duct are removed. Enough of the pancreas is left to produce digestive juices and insulin.
• Total pancreatectomy: the entire pancreas, part of the stomach, part of the small intestine, the common bile duct, the gallbladder, the spleen and nearby lymph nodes are removed.
• Distal pancreatectomy: the body and the tail of the pancreas and usually the spleen are removed.

Liver Resection

In a minimally invasive liver resection, a part of the liver that contains cancer along with healthy tissue on either side is removed using several small incisions in the abdomen. If the right side of the liver is remover, the gallbladder which is attached to the liver is also taken out. Up to half of the liver can be removed as long as the rest is healthy.

Heller Myotomy

Heller Myotomy is a surgical procedure to treat achalasia which is a rare disorder of the esophagus that makes it difficult for food and liquid to pass into the stomach. This procedure, which involves cutting the esophageal sphincter muscle can be done laparoscopically using small incisions.

Nissen Fundoplication

Nissen Fundoplication is a minimally invasive surgical treatment for patients with severe cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) also known as acid reflux or chronic heartburn. During fundoplication surgery, the upper curve of the stomach (the fundus) is wrapped around the esophagus and sewn into place so that the lower portion of the esophagus passes through a small tunnel of stomach muscle. This surgery strengthens the valve between the esophagus and stomach which stops acid from backing up into the esophagus and allows the esophagus to heal. This procedure can be done through the abdomen or the chest. The chest approach is often used if a person is overweight or has a short esophagus.

Splenectomy

A splenectomy is the surgical removal of the spleen to treat patients with blood disorders such as leukemia and certain severe forms of anemia. The spleen is a useful but nonessential organ which filters the blood by removing old or damaged cells and platelets and helps the immune system by destroying bacteria and other foreign substances. Following a splenectomy, patients must get certain immunizations to help prevent infections that the spleen normally fights.