Single Incision Surgery

Drs. Pinnar and Greene were leaders in the laparoscopic bariatric surgical revolution and were among the first surgeons in the country to perform Lap-Band Surgery after its FDA approval. They continue to be innovators with Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS), which offers them an immediate advancement in patient care by minimizing pain, scarring and recovery.

This new single incision technique allows for minimal discomfort and has fewer visible scars compared to traditional laparoscopic surgery requiring four to five incisions routinely made through the abdomen and lower chest. If the incision can be placed through a small incision in the umbilicus (belly button), this technique results in a single, mostly hidden scar which is certainly a cosmetic advance over the multiple visible scars associated with standard multi-port laparoscopy.

SILS (Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery), SPA (Single Port Access), LESS (Laparo-Endoscopic Single-Site Surgery), and many other acronyms are all terms used to describe a new "evolution" in the world of surgery where we can now perform many laparoscopic procedures through a small single incision.

Laparoscopy absolutely offers better patient outcomes including less pain, improved cosmesis, and faster recovery than the open approach. "Single Incision" laparoscopic procedures have the potential to dramatically increase these benefits.

Using newly developed advanced high-dexterity instrumentation and articulating scopes, we are now able to decrease the number of incisions required for routine laparoscopic procedures. Advanced articulating instruments and access ports, which enable improved access to the surgical site and maneuverability for tissue dissection and retraction allow us to perform laparoscopic procedures through a single skin incision located near or within the patient's umbilicus, or belly button.

And now using this new cutting edge equipment with our recently developed advanced techniques, we now have the ability to perform more advanced procedures using the laparoscope. Fewer incisions are ultimately better for the patient in terms of the amount of discomfort and recovery time, not to mention the benefit of a single hidden scar.