Laparoscopic Surgery

Author: Dr John Maa University of california SF 2008-07-29

Evolving Trends in Laparoscopic Surgery

Keywords: minimally invasive surgery, hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery, bandaid, keyhole and pinhole surgery, laparoscope, Da Vinci, NOTES

Laparoscopic surgery is a modern surgical technique that has transformed the practice of surgery.  This minimally invasive surgical intervention allows surgeons to perform operations through small incisions (usually less than one centimeter) compared to the larger incisions required in traditional “open” surgical operations.  Patients benefit by reduced post-operative pain, shortened hospital stays, improved cosmetic results, and faster recovery times.

Bariatric surgery

Author: Dr John Maa University of California San Francisco 2008-07-29
Bariatric surgery: Overview on Weight Loss Surgery

Bariatric surgery is a term for operations to help promote weight loss.

Search terms: obese, bariatric surgery, weight loss, surgery, gastric bypass, stomach stapling, overweight, laparoscopic banding

Gallbladder disease

Author: Dr John Maa University of California San Francisco 2008-07-29
Gallbladder disease: Symptoms, diagnosis, and intervention with cholecystectomy

Introduction

The gallbladder is a small, pear shaped organ adherent to the undersurface of the liver, whose purpose is to store bile produced by the liver to assist in digestion. While gallstones are very common, the majority of patients with gallstones are asymptomatic during their life, with only 1 to 2 % developing symptoms each year (1). The incidence of gallstones increases with age, and by the age of 70 approximately 20% of Americans have gallstones. Many patients are discovered at autopsy to have stones which were silent throughout their lifetime.