Lexington Medical Center is First Hospital in Columbia to Perform Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery

January 11, 2009

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. – Lexington Medical Center is the first hospital in the Columbia area to perform Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS). The state-of-the-art procedure is designed to limit scarring, reduce post-surgery pain and shorten recovery time.

“Single incision surgery represents the next step in advancement in the field of surgery,” said Dr. Jeffrey Libbey of the Southern Surgical Group. Dr. Libbey has performed Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery at Lexington Medical Center since September, 2008.

Gone are the days when surgery created large incisions in a patient’s abdomen. The technology is even evolving from general laparoscopic surgery, where a doctor makes 3 to 5 small incisions.

In Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery, surgeons make one incision in the patient’s belly button and pass multiple instruments through the abdomen. The procedure incorporates new instruments that bend in order to accomplish the task.

“The appeal is one incision,” said Dr. Libbey. “There are fewer scars.”

Since completing specialized SILS training at Gwinnett Medical Center near Atlanta, Dr. Libbey has performed approximately 25 gall bladder operations with SILS at Lexington Medical Center. Dr. Douglas Reid of the Southern Surgical Group is also performing the procedure.

“Patients do not have any visible incisions. They all seem to have less pain. Their recovery seems like it’s going to be faster,” Dr. Libbey said.

So far, the doctors at Lexington Medical Center have used SILS for gall bladder patients. According to Dr. Libbey, the surgery may be a good option for hernia operations and appendectomies in the future.

For now, options for patients who need abdominal surgery have never looked better.

About Lexington Medical Center

Lexington Medical Center, in West Columbia, S.C., anchors a county-wide health care network that includes six community medical centers throughout Lexington County and employs a staff of 5,900 health care professionals. The network also includes comprehensive cardiovascular care, an occupational health center, the largest nursing home in the Carolinas and more than 60 physician practices. At its heart is the 414-bed state-of-the-art Lexington Medical Center, with a reputation for the highest quality care. Lexington Medical Center won “Best Hospital” by readers of The State for ten years in a row, “Best Hospital” by readers of the Free Times, "Best Place to Have a Baby" by readers of Palmetto Parent, the "Consumer Choice Award" from the National Research Corporation and the prestigious “Summit Award” from Press Ganey for outstanding patient satisfaction.