Laparoscopic surgery (also known as minimally invasive surgery) involves making a small incision, and inserting a small video camera and thin instruments inside the abdomen, rather than exposing the area under surgery with a large incision (known as open surgery). While laparoscopic surgery has been done on adults for decades, pediatric laparoscopy is a relatively new specialty.

1. By Dr. Gustavo Stringel

2. Laparoscopic surgery (also known as
minimally invasive surgery) involves
making a small incision, and inserting a
small video camera and thin instruments
inside the abdomen, rather than exposing
the area under surgery with a large
incision (known as open surgery).

3. While laparoscopic surgery has been done
on adults for decades, pediatric
laparoscopy is a relatively new specialty.

4.  While not all surgeries may be performed
laparoscopically, among those commonly done
in this manner are urological surgeries,
appendectomies, hernia repair, intestinal
procedures, and adrenal surgery.
 Since the equipment used in these surgeries is
expensive, and the training required is
substantial, availability may be a challenge.
 In cases involving children, additional challenges
to laparoscopic surgery may be presented, both
by the gasses used to inflate the abdomen, as
well as the required anesthesia.

5. However, the advantages of laparoscopy over open
surgery are great:
• Less invasive surgery means shorter hospitalization times
and faster recovery.
• Smaller incisions lead to less scarring, pain, and blood
loss.
• In addition, there is a smaller chance of infection.
An increasing number of surgeries are possible
using laparoscopy, and an increasing number of
pediatric surgeries will be done this way in the
future.

6. Dr. Stringel is Chief of
Pediatric Surgery at Maria
Fareri Children’s Hospital
and Professor of Surgery
and Pediatrics at New York
Medical College. He has
been named one of the Top
Doctors in the New York
metropolitan area for eight
consecutive years.