Motion Beyond the Limits of the Human Hand
Northridge Hospital Medical Center is at the leading edge of medical innovations by offering Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) techniques whenever possible. Thanks to advances in medicine, these surgeries can often be performed through the tiniest of incisions.
Invasive Versus Minimally Invasive Surgery
Invasive traditional surgeries usually require a long incision, which is made through muscle. Muscle needs a significant time to heal after surgery. Because there are no long incisions in MIS, surgeons often do not have to cut through muscles to complete the procedure -- leading to less tissue damage and quicker recovery.
How It Works
MIS is performed laparoscopically using a fiber optic camera and miniaturized instruments. Instead of making large incisions as in the past, highly trained surgeons insert small tubes into these openings. Because MIS procedures use video-assisted equipment, the surgeon has better visualization and magnification of internal organs and structure.
The benefits of minimally invasive surgery are a more accurate and definitive procedure. By using MIS techniques, Northridge Hospital offers our patients many benefits over invasive traditional surgeries. They include:
-
Shorter hospital stay
-
Higher precision with assisted visualization
-
Quicker return to home, work and normal activities
-
Less pain and smaller doses of pain relievers than patients undergoing traditional surgeries
-
Smaller, less noticeable scars
-
Reduced chance of complications or infections
Why should I have my minimally invasive operation at Northridge Hospital?
Northridge Hospital is a leader in health care. Using state-of-the-art equipment and technologies, our surgeons, nurses, and support staff are committed to providing you with all the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. We are a multidisciplinary center that specializes in minimally invasive surgical interventions. We offer expertise in the fields of laparoscopic surgery, surgical endoscopy and robotic surgery. Our physicians are board certified and specialty trained to provide the highest standard of surgical care.
What procedures are performed using minimally invasive technique?
Minimally invasive surgery is available in most specialties including general surgery, gynecology, bariatrics, urology, ENT, gastroenterology, and spinal operations. Some of our laparoscopic procedures include:
- Robotic Hiatal Hernia/Fundoplication
- Robotic Heller Myotomy
- Inguinal Hernia Repair
- Ventral/Incisional Hernia Repair
- Small Bowel Surgery
- Colectomy
- Colorectal Surgery
- Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder)
- Appendectomy
- Bariatric Surgery (Weight Loss)
- Robotic Hysterectomy
- Robotic Prostatecomy
- Hysteroscopy
- Thermal Ablations
- Cystocscopy, Ureteroscopy
- Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
- Single Port Laparoscopy
- Endoscopic Disectomy
If you are would like more information on minimally invasive procedures at Northridge Hospital call 818-885-8500, Ext.2948.
Always looking ahead!
We are the only hospital in the San Fernando Valley equipped to treat a wide range of surgical needs with minimally invasive technology. Physician expertise and advanced medical technology are why people count on Northridge Hospital for surgical excellence.
Case in point: we are one of the few hospitals in the area to offer minimally invasive Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS). We perform gall bladder removal and weight loss surgeries through one small incision in the belly button.
A Patient Success Story
daVinci Makes it Easy to Swallow
Mary Kohl-Willoughby is so thankful to have finally found a solution to her food intolerance tthrough the use of daVinci Robotic Surgery.
For years, Mary lived on oatmeal, soup and Cheetos. Those were the few foods she could tolerate due to Achalasia -- a rare disorder of the lower esophageal sphincter muscle that prevents swallowing. “If I ate something that disagreed with me, it shot right back up,” she explains. “I always had to order soup when dining out.”
Mary received a decade’s worth of Botox injections endoscopically to relax the lower esophagus muscle, and had several physician consultations, but nothing worked. Finally, she was referred Northridge Hospital Medical Center for a Esophagomyotomy
(Heller Myotomy) using physician assisted da Vinci Robotic Surgery.
The da Vinci allows us to laparoscopically cut the tight circular esophageal sphincter muscle through a few tiny incisions. Patients only spend one or two days in the hospital as opposed to a week-long stay required after traditional surgery.
Mary just celebrated her one-year anniversary since having the procedure and says she can’t even find her scars. “Best of all, I can eat whatever I want,” she says. “
da Vinci Robotic Surgery Pre-op Class
The da Vinci Robotic Surgery Program offers a pre-operative class for patients undergoing a da Vinci procedure. We will help you to better prepare for the day of surgery, and teach you how to optimize your recovery when you return home.
Topics covered include:
- Detailed information pertaining to your specific surgery
- What to bring to the hospital the day of surgery
- What to expect during recovery
- Pain management
- Appropriate exercises for recovery
You’ll also get to meet the da Vinci team who will be with you every step of the way. Check the community education calendar for the current da Vinci Robotic Surgery Pre-op Class dates.
