AUSTIN, Texas - (Oct. 15, 2008) - General surgeons at University Medical Center Brackenridge, a member of the Seton Family of Hospitals, are among the first surgeons in Austin to use the latest technology for single-port surgeries.
Drs. John Uecker and John Sabra of Texas Surgical Group, removed a patient's gallbladder through one incision in the patient's umbilicus or belly button. Typically, there are four incisions used in traditional laparoscopic surgeries.
"It's a little more cosmetic than the usual surgery and hopefully will mean less pain for the patient," said Uecker. "It may also be a bridge to one day doing 'natural orifice' surgery in the future."
Drs. Uecker and Sabra used an AutoSuture Roticulator instrument designed specifically for single incision surgeries.The single port surgical technique is also being used for appendectomies, colon resection and gastric lap banding.
Not all patients will be candidates for the single incision surgery, but doctors expect patient interest in the new procedure to increase.
Seton is proud to have four hospitals – the only hospitals in Central Texas - that have earned the