Keyhole Cancer Surgery
For cancer surgery of digestive organs such as rectum, colon, intestine, liver, pancreas, bile duct, stomach, oesophagus etc. either of the Open or Keyhole approach may be used. The open approach involves an 8 to 10 inch incision to open the abdomen and perform the surgery in open view of the surgical team. The laparoscopic approach creates three to five miniature incisions (each having a length of one rice grain to three rice grains long) instead of the one larger incision.
Goals of a Keyhole Cancer Surgery
- Diagnostic
- Staging
- Tumor removal or curative
- Debulking
- Palliation
Benefits of Keyhole Cancer Surgery
- Less pain
- Shorter hospitalization
- Quicker return to activity and work
- Lower rates of blood loss
- Lower rates of wound infections and other complications
- Lower rates of subsequent hernia development