Laparoscopic Surgery

What is laparoscopic surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery, an approach pioneered in the early 1990s, uses tiny quarter-inch incisions, a miniature camera, and small-diameter tools to perform major surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery greatly reduces tissue trauma compared with traditional “open” surgery. This leads to many benefits, including less time in the hospital. 

Dr. Patching was among the first to perform laparoscopic surgery on the West Coast and was among the first surgeons worldwide to remove a stomach tumor using a fully laparoscopic approach in 1995. 

In the years since, he has continued to expand his skills and knowledge, completing advanced robotic surgery training and being the first California surgeon to complete an operation using the state-of-the-art da Vinci® xi system in 2014. 

When might I need laparoscopic surgery?

Today, Dr. Patching performs laparoscopic surgery for many reasons, including:

• Gastric bypass
• Gastric sleeve
• Lap-Band® 
• Gallbladder removal
• Hernia repair

Dr. Patching may recommend robotic rather than laparoscopic surgery for some of these situations. He specializes in complex minimally invasive procedures and can perform virtually any abdominal surgery using either laparoscopic or robotic approaches.

How are laparoscopic and robotic surgery different?

For the most part, laparoscopic and robotic surgery use the same strategies, including small incisions, small-diameter surgical tools, and a miniature camera. But, with laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Patching places the surgical tools through one or more incisions and watches a bedside monitor as he works.

With robotic surgery, Dr. Patching sits at a nearby console. He uses advanced hand controls to move robotic arms as he watches a 3D view of the surgical site on a monitor at the console. The robotic arms won’t move on their own. 

What are the benefits of laparoscopic surgery versus traditional surgery?

Smaller incisions change the whole course of surgery and recovery for the better. Advantages include:

• Less than a day in the hospital
• Less pain
• Smaller scars 
• Faster healing
• Less chance of infection
• Faster return to work and routine activities

As one of the pioneers in laparoscopic surgery, Dr. Patching has continually refined his techniques and skills over the last 20-plus years. He’s widely recognized as a premier laparoscopic and robotic surgeon, leading to his thriving bariatric and general surgery practice. 

Laparoscopic surgery can give you the same results as open surgery but with a far easier recovery. To learn more about minimally invasive surgery techniques, call Steven Patching, MD, or click on the online scheduler now.