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| Belly button surgery cuts scars | Belly button surgery cuts scars |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A London surgeon is pioneering virtually scarless surgery to remove organs through the belly button. | A London surgeon is pioneering virtually scarless surgery to remove organs through the belly button. |
| Mr Barry Paraskeva was the first surgeon in the UK to remove an appendix and gall bladder through the navel, using laparoscopic "key-hole" surgery. | |
| Traditionally, these organs have been removed by making three incisions in the torso as well as the belly button - a process which leaves scars. | Traditionally, these organs have been removed by making three incisions in the torso as well as the belly button - a process which leaves scars. |
| Mr Paraskeva is based at Imperial College London Healthcare NHS Trust. | Mr Paraskeva is based at Imperial College London Healthcare NHS Trust. |
| This technique further minimises minimally invasive surgery Mr Barry ParaskevaImperial College London Healthcare NHS Trust | |
| The technique, known as single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS), requires only a 10mm incision into the belly button (navel) to insert a "single access port" through which instruments and a small camera can be fed. | The technique, known as single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS), requires only a 10mm incision into the belly button (navel) to insert a "single access port" through which instruments and a small camera can be fed. |
| The organ is then pulled out using the instruments and the belly button is stitched up afterwards, leaving only the tiniest trace of a scar. | The organ is then pulled out using the instruments and the belly button is stitched up afterwards, leaving only the tiniest trace of a scar. |
| Speedy results | Speedy results |
| Using the technique, Mr Paraskeva can now remove an appendix in 20 minutes and gall bladders within an hour. | Using the technique, Mr Paraskeva can now remove an appendix in 20 minutes and gall bladders within an hour. |
| The surgery leaves virtually no sign of a scar | The surgery leaves virtually no sign of a scar |
| In both cases, the patient returns home on the same day as surgery. | In both cases, the patient returns home on the same day as surgery. |
| Additionally, the surgery provides a chance for patients who do not like their out-facing navel to have it tucked inside. | Additionally, the surgery provides a chance for patients who do not like their out-facing navel to have it tucked inside. |
| Mr Paraskeva said: "This technique further minimises minimally invasive surgery. | Mr Paraskeva said: "This technique further minimises minimally invasive surgery. |
| "Having a single access port minimises the discomfort to the patient, reduces the risk of infection and because the incision is through the belly button, the surgery is scarless." | "Having a single access port minimises the discomfort to the patient, reduces the risk of infection and because the incision is through the belly button, the surgery is scarless." |
| The SILS technique was developed as a result of research undertaken by Mr Paraskeva and colleagues at Imperial. | The SILS technique was developed as a result of research undertaken by Mr Paraskeva and colleagues at Imperial. |
| Mr Geoffrey Glazer, a consultant general surgeon based at London's Wellington Hospital, said: "This is a technological step forward which might appeal to certain groups who do not want two to three small scars on their abdomen. | Mr Geoffrey Glazer, a consultant general surgeon based at London's Wellington Hospital, said: "This is a technological step forward which might appeal to certain groups who do not want two to three small scars on their abdomen. |
| "It might also help with the healing process." | "It might also help with the healing process." |
| Mr Glazer said similar techniques were being developed to remove organs from the body's natural orifices, such as the rectum. | Mr Glazer said similar techniques were being developed to remove organs from the body's natural orifices, such as the rectum. |
| However, removing organs through the navel carried less of a potential risk of contamination. | However, removing organs through the navel carried less of a potential risk of contamination. |