What is Single-Port Surgery?

Single-port surgery is surgery that is literally performed through a single port - or incision - in a patient's navel (belly button). Highway Hospital, surgeon Dr. Shekhar Suradkar is among only a handful of surgeons across the nation now performing these procedures.

Single-port surgery is a form of minimally invasive - laparoscopic - surgery. In traditional laparoscopic surgery a telescopic rod connected to a video camera, or laparoscope, is inserted through a small incision in the abdomen. Three to five additional small incisions are made and used as "ports" in which to insert instruments. Because laparoscopic surgery usually results in fewer complications and a more rapid recovery, patients often can return home the same day.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Single-Port Surgery?

Because it uses only one port, single-port surgery leaves little to no scarring and may reduce complications that commonly occur after traditional open and even traditional laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Patients are reporting less discomfort and faster recovery compared with those undergoing traditional laparoscopy.

For surgeons, the single-port approach is more challenging than traditional laparoscopy because the surgeon has less freedom of movement with all instruments using the same entry point. Specially designed flexible instruments help to overcome that limitation.

Who is a Candidate for Single-Port Surgery?

Because it uses only one port, single-port surgery leaves little to no scarring and may reduce complications that commonly occur after traditional open and even traditional laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Patients are reporting less discomfort and faster recovery compared with those undergoing traditional laparoscopy.

For surgeons, the single-port approach is more challenging than traditional laparoscopy because the surgeon has less freedom of movement with all instruments using the same entry point. Specially designed flexible instruments help to overcome that limitation.