Laparoscopic Surgery in Brownsville & Harlingen, TX

Laparoscopic surgery generally refers to a minimally invasive surgical technique where surgeons perform surgery through several small incisions using a camera to view the procedure on a TV monitor. Because of advances in surgical instrumentation and imaging devices, the incisions are considerably smaller than with traditional or open surgical techniques.

Dr. Carlos A. Barba is a board certified general surgeon who specializes in laparoscopic procedures. Learn more and schedule your consultation at our offices in Harlingen and Brownsville, TX today.

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Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic Surgery can have significant benefits over traditional surgery. These include:

• Reduced hospital stays
• Fewer wound infections
• Less pain
• Faster recovery time
• Less surgical trauma
• Improved outcomes
• Fewer disfiguring scars

Laparoscopic Surgical Procedures in Brownville, TX

Many surgeries that were once performed as open surgeries (using longer incisions of the abdominal wall) can now be performed using minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures. Your physician will determine if this approach is best for you. Common laparoscopic procedures include:

• Colon Surgery. The major reasons for laparoscopic surgery on the colon include diverticulosis, the removal of large growths called polyps that can’t be completely removed by colonoscopy, and colon cancer. The operation typically uses four or five small abdominal incisions with the largest one being used to remove the specimen.
• Stomach Surgery. Because the stomach is so accessible, laparoscopic surgical repair of a perforated (ruptured) or bleeding peptic ulcer as well as removal of certain stomach tumors are common procedures. Additionally, laparoscopy is becoming more common is for obesity or bariatric surgery, an operation designed to help enable weight reduction.
• Gall Bladder Surgery. Gall bladder surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the United States. It lends itself well to the use of the minimally invasive laparoscopic surgical approach. This approach permits the removal of the gall bladder without the discomfort and inconvenience common twenty to thirty years ago.
• Anti-Reflux Surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is an important option for certain patients with chronic and severe gastroesophageal reflux disease. Called “fundoplication”, this procedure wraps the upper part of the stomach around the lower end of the esophagus and re-establishes the weakened lower esophageal sphincter. This is done to prevent the reflux of acid from the stomach up into the esophagus and eliminates the inflammation and ulcerations that can and lead to Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that can cause esophageal cancer.