Trident Health Performs First Single-Incision Gallbladder Removal in Lowcountry
June 7, 2012
Robotic Surgery Procedure Allows the Surgeon to Perform Single-Incision Gallbladder Removal through Belly Button
N. CHARLESTON, SC – June 5, 2012 – Trident Health’s SouthCarolina Institute for Robotic Surgery has performed the Charlestonarea’s first ever single-incision gallbladder removal.
Rather than making several incisions to remove the gallbladder, thisnew robotic process makes just one incision through the belly button. Dr. Jeffrey Lafond, a robotic surgeon with South Carolina Institute forRobotic Surgery, performed the procedure. “The robot offers excellent3-Dimensional vision, a great improvement over a conventionallaparoscopy. The single site technique allows for less trauma,decreased blood loss, and a quicker recovery time for the patient,” saidDr. Lafond.
The South Carolina Institute for Robotic Surgery is the secondfacility in the state to offer single site robotic surgery. TheInstitute is located at Trident Medical Center and consists of anadvanced team of 15 robotic surgeons. The group performs twice as manyrobotic surgeries as any other hospital in the Charleston area. Thesingle-incision gallbladder removal is one of several “firsts” theInstitute has performed. For a full list please visit SCrobotics.com.
Each year, about one million people in the United States will undergogallbladder removal surgery. Thanks to this latest breakthrough inrobotic-assisted surgery, patients can now have their gallbladderremoved through a small incision buried in their belly button, where novisible scar can be seen.
In the past, gallbladder removals have been performed either throughopen surgery, which requires a large opening in the abdomen, orlaparoscopic surgery, which requires multiple incision sites. Thegallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that sits just below the liver on theupper right side of the abdomen. It collects and stores bile — adigestive fluid produced in the liver – and its removal can relieve thepain and discomfort of gallstones. The new surgical method with the daVinci robotic surgery system is designed for safer outcomes and quickerrecovery times.
About Trident Health
Trident Health is an HCA health system comprised of two acute carehospitals – Trident Medical Center and Summerville Medical Center – aswell as Moncks Corner Medical Center. The Joint Commission recentlynamed Trident Health to their list of the nation’s top hospitals forquality and safety. In 2011, Trident Health provided almost $45 millionin charity and uncompensated care and contributed $38 million in taxes.Accredited by The Joint Commission, Trident Health is committed toproviding quality health services along with wellness information andopportunities to the communities it serves. For more information aboutTrident Health, please visit our website at www.tridenthealthsystem.com or call 843.797.7000.
