Needlescopic Procedures or Micro-laparoscopy

The use of 2 mm instruments, although technically more demanding for surgeons, represents a step forward in the field of minimally invasive surgery. We currently offer to our patients, whenever is possible, the performance of so-called "needlescopic procedures" for the treatment of cholelithiasis, acute cholecystitis and appendicitis, as well as for diagnostic procedures. The scars on the abdomen are barely visible after a month, but the main advantage is that the requirement of pain medication after the surgery is minimal, being easily controlled with over-the-counter medication. We started this technique in 1996 and have seen excellent results.

Intraluminal Surgery

This represents a new, exciting field, made possible by the availability of 2 mm instruments and laparoscopes. By means of a dual endoscopic/needlescopic approach, we are able to "operate" inside the lumen of hollow viscus, such as stomach, duodenum and colon, allowing us to remove intraluminal lesions safely without a formal resection. Although limited, our experience shows this seems to be a very promising field.