Has anyone had a single incision lap?

[MissFrizz]

I was told by the surgeon that I may qualify for a single incision, 2-3 inches in length (plus the other little hole they need).  Sounds like good news!  Has anyone had this and what was the recovery like? 

[Orchidlady]

Did they tell you where they were going to make the incision?  I had a 3 inch incision that was immediately to the left of my belly button with two port holes to the side. The surgeon told me the position of this incision cuts through less muscle. Instead, it cuts through the tough fascia tissue. As a result, he said that while it would never be 100% like uncut tissue, within 6 months I could expect that it would be about 80% as strong as if it were uncut. They used a tool with a mesh bag on the end to "capture" the kidney, once it was removed, and pull it out through that incision. I am not sure my recovery was any different than any other lap type nephrectomy. I will tell you that now, five years out, unless you were really looking for them, you can hardly see either the incision or port holes.
It's kind of interesting that, if you took a poll, you would find everyone's incision all over the board. Guess all surgeons have their favorite!

[sherri]

I also had 2 small port holes and a 3 inch incision above my belly button. There are places that do the keyhole surgery where they make the incision through the belly button and use that as a port as well. Not sure if this is the one they are talking about. Try the University of Maryland website. The do the keyhole surgery pretty frequently so you might be able to see a video of this. I have spoken and visited with patients after this surgery and it seems to be similar recuperation time and pain, but you don't have a visible scar.

[MissFrizz]

Orchidlady & Sherri,

The surgeon pointed to the left of my belly button but a few inches below.  He did say he uses a net type of thingie (not his words, I promise) to collect the kidney, just as you described.  Thank you for all the information.  As a mom of 2, I don't see myself in a bikini anymore, but it would be nice to have minimal scarring.  I thought maybe the recovery would be easier with a smaller incision.  It still sounds like it will be easier than my c-section.

[smudge]

I had a hand assisted lap removal.  I have a 3" horizontal scar and two tiny 1/2" scars from the ports.  If I were to shock the world and wear a bikini  you would not be able to see the primary scar as it's very low down - below the usual c-section incision point.

[MissFrizz]

That's interesting!  I cant' believe how many different places they can cut.  I would have guessed it would be more standard than that. 

What is "hand assisted"?

[smudge]

The surgeon basically sticks his fingers in to guide the kidney out rather than using the net bag.  Less risk of bleeding and of damage to the kidney.  And a smaller incision!  My surgeon (Jiri Fronek) was one of the pioneers of this technique and it is becoming more common in the UK.  Not sure about the US though.

http://ndt.oxfordjournals.org/content/21/9/2674.1

[WillowTree]

I had what I guess they are calling "single incision lap, hand assisted" but if you look at my tummy, it certainly looks like 5 incisions to me.  I had a 3 to 4 inch horizontal incision, just above my pubic bone, below my belt line and then 4 more "portholes" for the cope, inflation and a light I suppose. I had some trouble with two of my port holes getting a little infected so they are actually much bigger scars than my large incision. They are half an inch above my belly button and maybe 4 inches above my belly button, slightly to the left.

My understanding is that it heals so much more quickly than the old open method. The biggest complaint with them that i have heard is the gas, which is used to inflate you,  but I didn't have that as badly as many people seem to.

Ebony
Donated kidney to my dad February 9, 2010