Laparoscopic gastrectomy is removal of all or part of the stomach. The procedure is performed to treat recurrent ulcer disease,
to remove a chronic gastric ulcer, to stop hemorrhaging in a perforated ulcer, or
to remove cancer.
Surgery
Laparoscopic 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 through video monitors located in the Operating Room. The abdomen is inflated with
carbon dioxide to provide the surgeon with a better view of the operative area. Two or
three additional small incisions are made near the laparoscope through which the
surgeon inserts specialized surgical instruments
to remove all, or a portion of, the stomach and to attach any remaining portion of
the stomach to the small intestine. Following the procedure, the small incisions
are closed with sutures and covered with surgical tape. After a few months, they
are barely visible.