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Laparoscopy: Surgical Conditions

Application of the microchip camera to General Surgery in the early 1990's heralded a revolution in the way many procedures are done.

The laparoscopic approach is not suited to all operations, but there are distinct advantages when the technology is applied to some of the commonest complaints dealt with by General Surgeons: gallstones, hernias and reflux.

Gallstones are frequent causes of trouble in Western populations. Approximately 10% of males develop a hernia at some stage of their lives and 30% of the population experience reflux to varying degrees of severity. Elective removal of the spleen is rarely indicated, but when it is, the laparoscopic approach dramatically reduces its impact.