Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery

• It's not really single incision when used in gastric banding surgery.
• Standard laparoscopic gastric banding surgery is safer for the patient, in the opinion of Southwest Bariatric Surgeons.


What is "Single Incision" Laparoscopic Surgery?
In adjustable gastric banding surgery, the "single incision" technique involves 2 incisions. One is approximately one-quarter inch in length and another that is made either through the belly button or elsewhere that's approximately four inches in length. The surgeons of Southwest Bariatric Surgeons use a standard laparoscopic method that employs 5 incisions - 1 approximately two inches in length and 4 that are approximately a half-inch in length.

In the "single incision" surgery, because there are fewer incisions, the use of the laparoscopic camera and the movement of instruments are more restricted than in standard laparoscopic surgery. Plus, the surgery lasts 2 to 4 times longer than a standard laparoscopic banding procedure. There's simply less access to the abdominal cavity.


Why place a Lap-Band or Realize Band using "single incision" laparoscopic surgery?
"Single incision" laparoscopic surgery is performed for perceived cosmetic reasons. There are 2 incisions without the 3 additional half-inch incisions used in the standard laparoscopic technique. Notably, the size of the incisions for standard laparoscopic surgery is so small that scarring is minimal, particularly as time passes and the patient has lost weight.


Why have Lap-Band or Realize Band surgery using the standard laparoscopic technique
We believe the standard laparoscopic technique is safer. The 10 surgeons of Southwest Bariatric Surgeons make patient safety the most important consideration in their choice of surgical technique. Our surgeons believe that the standard laparoscopic method - using 4 half-inch incisions and 1 two-inch incision - enables the use of more effective camera angles, resulting in better visualization of the internal organs than the "single incision" technique. Plus, the additional incisions enable easier manipulation of the instruments.

Being able to see the stomach and surrounding organs well and being able to move instruments more easily aids in securely placing the band and port. And because we're using sharp instruments around delicate organs, being able to see well and move instruments easily minimizes the risk of complications.

Additionally, the time it takes for a "single incision" procedure is significantly longer, causing the patient to be under anesthesia for anywhere from 2 to 4 times as long as a standard procedure. Performing a banding procedure using standard laparoscopic surgery takes from 30 minutes to 1 hour. In contrast, the same surgery using the "single incision" technique takes approximately 2 hours.

Patients who are having gastric banding surgery are already higher-risk surgical patients because of their obesity and related health issues. Our surgeons' goal is to keep risk as low as possible. We believe the standard laparoscopic method is the safest choice for our patients.