Single Incision Gallbladder Surgery

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We are pleased to be the first surgical group in Manatee County to offer our patients single incision gallbladder removal using the da Vinci Robotic System. With this system the patient’s gallbladder is removed through one tiny incision in the belly button, making the procedure virtually scarless.

The minimally invasive procedure is traditionally called a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (removal of the gallbladder). Using robotic assistance, we can remove the gallbladder through an incision of approximately one inch.

The Food and Drug Administration cleared the specialized Single-Site instruments for use with the da Vinci System in December 2011. da Vinci is a robotic surgical system widely used in complex minimally invasive surgery.

Neither robotic surgery nor single-incision surgery is new, but combining the two to remove the gallbladder requires additional training and special equipment.

Dr. Rekkas is one of a small group of surgeons in the country who has received training to perform the surgery.

Potential benefits of Single-Site gallbladder surgery may include virtually scarless results, minimal pain, low blood loss, fast recovery, a short hospital stay and high patient satisfaction. The surgery can be performed in about one hour with a typical hospital stay of less than 24 hours.

During the procedure, the surgeon sits comfortably at a console, viewing a 3D, high-definition image of the patient’s anatomy. The surgeon uses controls below the viewer to move the instrument arms and camera.  In real-time, the system translates the surgeon’s hand, wrist and finger movements into more precise movements of the miniaturized instruments inside the patient.

Unlike traditional robotic surgeries requiring three to five small incisions, this new technology allows for a single incision in the belly button where instruments are placed and the diseased gallbladder is removed.

Most people who require gallbladder removal are candidates for the robotic, single-incision surgery. According to the American College of Surgeons, surgery is the recommended treatment for gallbladder pain from gallstones and non-functioning gallbladders.

More than 1 million people in the U.S. have their gallbladder removed each year. Most are performed with traditional laparoscopy using several incisions.
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Quick Links:

Patient Education Brochure – da Vinci Cholecystectomy with Single-Site Instrumentation

See more information here at the da Vinci Website about gallbladder disease  http://www.davincisurgery.com/general-surgery/conditions/gallbladder/

See more information here at the da Vinci Website about Single Incision Robotic Cholecystectomy http://www.davincisurgery.com/general-surgery/davinci-procedures/cholecystectomy.html