THE LATEST STEP FORWARD IN SURGERY. LESS Laparo-Endoscopic Single-Site Surgery

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1 THE LATEST STEP FORWARD IN SURGERY LESS Laparo-Endoscopic Single-Site Surgery

2 THE ROUTE FROM OPEN SURGERY TO MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY An operation is generally a radical experience for any patient. In the past, surgery has made repeated pioneering breakthroughs from which you, as a patient, can benefit in particular. In the past, all operations in the abdominal cavity were performed by means of open surgery. Such operations are associated with long incisions to allow the surgeon direct access to the inner organs. However, open surgery also means longer recovery times and long, permanent scars. Since the end of the 1980s, surgery has been revolutionized by the minimally invasive laparoscopy technique. Here, surgeons work with long, thin instruments introduced through small incisions. Open surgery 1 large incision Laparoscopy 3 to 5 small incisions LESS surgery 1 small incision A miniature camera delivers the surgeon a 360-degree view of the abdominal cavity, whilst the operation itself is performed using special instruments. Therapeutic outcome is on a par with that of open surgery, but for you, the patient, the laparoscopic procedure generally means benefits such as less pain after surgery, a shorter stay in hospital, a more rapid recovery time and a better cosmetic result.

3 LESS SURGERY A METHOD EVEN LESS INVASIVE THAN CONVENTIONAL LAPAROSCOPY If we compare conventional laparoscopy and LESS surgery, the latter has the advantage that the operation is performed through a single small incision, made in the navel if possible. The surgeon passes all the instruments through an access developed specifically for the operation, which allows him to perform the complex procedures in the abdominal cavity through one small incision. When the incision is made in your navel, there will be little to remind you of the operation afterwards, as the scar stays hidden inside the navel. LESS surgery can reduce the trauma of the operation still further: the new way of positioning the access to your body means that LESS surgery makes the operation even less invasive, simultaneously providing an improved cosmetic result. For you as a patient, LESS surgery can deliver interesting and important benefits: less pain after the operation shorter recovery time shorter stay in hospital improved cosmetic result Access Camera Instruments

4 I FELT MORE COMFORTABLE KNOWING THERE WAS ONLY ONE INCISION

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6 LESS SURGERY A WIDE RANGE OF POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS With the exception of the access point, the LESS surgical procedure is similar to laparoscopic techniques already in use and is therefore essentially applicable to many laparoscopic surgical procedures which are already standard practice in hospitals. Its broad spectrum of application means that LESS surgery can be used in general surgery, urology and gynaecology. Potential applications for LESS include: removal of the gall bladder (cholecystectomy) removal of the prostate (prostatectomy) partial removal of a section of large intestine (resection of the colon) removal of one or both ovaries (oophorectomy) hernia repair removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) removal of the appendix (appendectomy) treatment for endometriosis diagnostic staging removal of one or both adrenal glands (adrenalectomy) removal of a kidney (nephrectomy) and others...

7 TERMINOLOGY Endoscope An endoscope is a miniaturized camera which allows the inside of living organisms to be examined or operations to be performed. Originally developed for diagnosis in human medicine, it is now also used for minimally invasive surgery. Laparoscopic surgery Laparoscopic surgery is an area of surgery in which operations within the abdominal cavity are performed with the aid of an optical instrument (endoscope). It comes under the heading of minimally invasive surgery (MIS). LESS surgery English abbreviation for Laparo-Endoscopic Single-Site surgery.

8 Although LESS surgery covers a wide range of potential applications, it is not suitable for every type of operation or every patient. Please consult the surgeon in charge of your treatment to find out whether the new LESS procedure could be considered for the operation proposed for you and to obtain more information. E /11 OEH