The Newest Frontier in Laparoscopic Surgery

TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER (January12, 2009)

A traditional laparoscopic surgery involves inflating the abdomen with gas and performing an operation with several long thin instruments and a thin camera tube inserted through four to five separate "ports." Single Port Laparoscopy uses just one port buried in the belly button to accommodate both the instruments and the camera. Benefits to the patient include less post-operative pain, less blood loss, faster recovery time, fewer complications, and better cosmetic results.

Memorial Hermann Healthcare System has a handful of physicians performing single port laparoscopy procedures. Two of these physicians - Jason Balette, M.D. of Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital and Tung Shu, M.D. of Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center - recently commented on this breakthrough that could one day lead to no-incision, pain-free surgery.  Read the Houston Chronicle story.

About Memorial Hermann

An integrated health system, Memorial Hermann is known for world-class clinical expertise, patient-centered care, leading edge technology, and innovation. Memorial Hermann serves the greater Houston community through 11 hospitals and many specialty programs and services, including three premier Heart & Vascular Institutes, TIRR|Memorial Hermann, Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital, a Sports Medicine Institute, the Mischer Neuroscience Institute, seven comprehensive Cancer Centers, 27 sports medicine and rehabilitation centers, a substance abuse treatment center and dozens of other specialty and outpatient centers. Memorial Hermann operates one of two level 1 trauma centers in Houston and provides the Life Flight air ambulance program as well as the city's only burn treatment center. To learn more, visit www.memorialhermann.org, or call 713.222.CARE.