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Anyone with a condition that requires removal of a large part of the intestine, including diverticulitis, Crohns disease, some colorectal cancers, and rectal prolapse may be a candidate for laparoscopic intestinal surgery.

Laparoscopic intestinal resection surgery uses a thin, telescope-like instrument called a laparoscope, which is inserted through a small incision at the belly button. The laparoscope is connected to a tiny video camera which projects a view of the operative site onto video monitors in the operating room.

The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to allow the surgeon a better view of the operative area. Two or three additional small incisions are made near the laparoscope through which the surgeon inserts specialized instruments. The surgeon manipulates these instruments to perform the operation.

To remove the diseased portion of the intestine, one of the small incisions must be enlarged to three to five inches in length. This size is still one third the size of the incision used in a conventional surgery. Following the procedure, the small incisions are closed with sutures and covered with surgical tape.

The surgery leaves three or four tiny scars instead of one large abdominal scar. It involves a shorter hospital stay, shorter recovery time, reduced postoperative pain, and a quicker return to daily activities.