Eye on Health: Single Incision Surgery - KXNet - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson

Eye on Health: Single Incision Surgery

Technology has changed all aspects of life -  including how surgeons do their jobs.  
These days - there are some surgeries that can be performed using a single incision.
KX News Carla Burbidge has the story in this week's Eye on Health.   

Minot State Student Taylor Owan of Williston, is working toward a -teaching degree.  
A few months ago, she went to the doctor for persistent side pain, and stomach aches.  
Turns out: she needed surgery.
(Taylor Owan, Gallbladder Patient) "It was the end of the summer, my gallbladder was only working at 19-percent, was referred to Dr. Lee."
Dr. Lane Lee, is only surgeon at Trinity Health, performing single incision surgery.  
Laproscopic surgery with smaller incisions has been used for a couple of decades, but it has evolved.  
Dr. Lane shows us this new technology.
Through the spongy device multiple  instruments can be used through the one incision made through the belly button.   
(Dr. Lane Lee, Trinity Surgeon) "I've had done the common surgeries, the incision made in the belly button."
Here in this you Tube video you can get a look at the new single incision surgery.   
The surgery is not for all cases, and it doesn't work for all people, but Dr. Lee says it's effective.  
And the scar, is hidden by the belly button.
(Dr. Lane Lee, Trinity Surgeon) "The benefit to the patient, there is less cutting, cosmetically superior."  
Dr. Lee says technology, better tools and equipment have made this advance in surgery possible.  
That's great for patients like Taylor, she had the surgery on a Monday, and by Thursday she was on an airplane leaving on a trip.  
(Taylor Owan, Gallbladder Patient) "I was sore for a couple of days, then I was better."
No scar, and a quick recovery, all possible because of the newest technologies, allowing surgeons to make only one incision into the patient.  
For Eye on Health, I'm Carla Burbidge.