MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY
What is minimally invasive surgery?
During minimally invasive surgery, Dr Govender is able to perform procedures with the use of very small incisions, which is generally safer than traditional open surgery. During the procedure, he will use tiny surgical tools, as well as lights and cameras designed to fit through small incisions in the skin.
Dr Govender performs minimally invasive surgery for a wide range of reasons, including:
1Gastric
Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a procedure which is performed for the treatment of severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a fairly common digestive condition that occurs when the contents of the stomach moves backwards into the oesophagus, leading to heart burn, and in some cases, difficulty swallowing.
2Colonic
There are a number of conditions that affect the colon for which minimally invasive surgery may be recommended. These include colon polyps; inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; and rectal prolapse. Minimally invasive surgery may also be recommended for the treatment of colon cancer.
3Hernias
TAPP repair is a minimally invasive procedure, which is performed in order to repair a hernia. It is one of the most commonly used hernia repair techniques. TEP repair is another common hernia repair procedure. The procedure is also minimally invasive, during which Dr Govender makes use of laparoscopic techniques.
Although hernias can develop in a number of ways, in the case of an abdominal hernia, an organ or section of fatty tissue pushes through a separation in the abdominal muscles. As such, a component separation is recommended in cases where it is necessary to restore the function of the abdominal wall.
4Trauma and emergency surgery
Some injuries caused as a result of trauma may be repaired with the use of minimally invasive techniques. Some of the benefits of performing minimally invasive surgery in the case of an emergency include less bleeding, a faster recovery time, reduced risk of infection, decreased blood loss and less need for blood transfusions, a shorter stay in hospital, as well as fewer and smaller scars than traditional open surgery.
5Oncological
Minimally invasive surgery may be performed in order to remove cancerous tumours and lymph nodes. Minimally invasive techniques are often used for the treatment of gastrointestinal, lung, colon, and prostate cancers, in which case cancerous tumours are removed while surrounding tissue is left undamaged. Laparoscopy may also be recommended in cases where it is necessary to collect tissue samples for biopsy, or to stage cancer in order to formulate a suitable treatment plan.