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SPIRE BRISTOL HOSPITAL PIONEERS NEW SINGLE INCISION ABDOMINAL SURGERY

Surgeons at the South West‘s largest private hospital are among the first in the world to be using a new minimally invasive “keyhole” procedure to repair hernias, remove gall bladders and perform complex bowel operations.

Single Port Laparoscopic Surgery means surgeons need only make one small incision in a patient‘s navel when performing gall bladder, appendix or bowel operations.

Traditionally, the procedure involves three or five incisions, which in the case of colorectal surgery, involves making a wound to remove the diseased bowel.
   
Anthony Dixon, a consultant at Spire Bristol Hospital, and anaesthetist Gareth Greenslade, have been carrying out the complex bowel re-sections since the spring - many of them being “world firsts”.– and performing single port hernia repairs since 1996.

“This surgery is generally producing less pain for patients, an earlier return of function, a better looking abdomen and a shorter stay in hospital than was the case with the older laparoscopic procedures,” says Mr Dixon.

“We use a laparoscope to enable us to see structures within the abdomen and pelvis, which is connected to a video camera and inserted through a small incision.

“However, until now, we had to make three to five additional small incisions to introduce further ‘ports‘ through the muscles of the abdominal wall. These ports allow us to insert the instruments to conduct the surgery, for example removing an appendix, gall bladder or a segment of bowel.

“We are now carrying out this procedure, which is termed SILS or LESS surgery, which uses three access points within a single port placed through the belly button, giving only one incision which blends into the belly button once it has healed.

“Therefore not only is the invasiveness of the surgery reduced, but the cosmetic result is improved.

“In addition, because the surgery usually requires less anaesthetic, results in less pain, an early return of function with fewer complications and allows a more rapid recovery, we can often discharge our patient‘s home the same day or within 24 hours of surgery.”

ENDS  29th September 2009

For further information please contact Neil Fraser, Sturgess Van Damme, on 01275 349011 or email neil@sturgessvandamme.co.uk

SINGLE PORT LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY – CASE STUDY

Emily Reed says she is feeling better than she has done for a whole year after undergoing a world first operation at Spire Bristol Hospital.

Mrs Reed, aged 77, of Stoke Bishop, underwent an anterior resection after developing complicated diverticulitis, which was carried out by consultant Anthony Dixon, a pioneer of the single incision, minimally invasive Single Port Laparoscopic Surgery.

“Mrs Reed had an inflammation of the colon wall and an abscess which had perforated into the bladder,” said Mr Dixon.

“This was causing repeated urinary infections and stomach pains so we removed the diseased bowel and part of her bladder and then joined them back up together again – all through one 2cm hole in her belly button.

“She made a quick recovery and was in and out of hospital in a short period of time, whereas she would have had to stay in a lot longer had the traditional techniques been used.”
 
“I started feeling sick and dizzy and was not eating properly, as well as having trouble going to the toilet,” said Mrs Reed.

“I was given antibiotics but they did not work so then I had to go into hospital. The surgery at Spire went well and now I feel better than I have done for a year - I cannot thank Mr Dixon and his team enough for the level of care and support I had.”

ENDS