Dr. Harish Kakkilaya performs various minimally invasive procedures (Laparoscopic) including:
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (removal of the gall bladder)
Laparoscopic Appendectomy
Laparoscopic Resection of large and small bowel
Laparoscopic Repair of hiatal hernias
Laparoscopic Repair of abdominal hernias

Dr. Kakkilaya also performs thyroid and parathyroid surgeries as well as weight loss procedures.

Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair

When a ventral hernia occurs, it usually arises in the abdominal wall where a previous surgical incision was made. In this area the abdominal muscles have weakened; this results in a bulge or a tear. This tear or defect in the muscle can allow a loop of intestines or other abdominal contents to push into the sac. If the abdominal contents get stuck within the sac, they can become trapped or “incarcerated.” This could lead to potentially serious problems that might require emergency surgery.

Laparoscopic hernia repair is a technique to fix tears or openings in the abdominal wall using small incisions, laparoscopes (small telescopes inserted into the abdomen) and a patch (screen or mesh) is used to reinforce the abdominal wall. It offers a quicker return to work and normal activities with decreased pain.

ADVANTAGES OF THE LAPAROSCOPIC REPAIR:
Common advantages may include:

• Less post-operative pain
• Shortened hospital stay
• Faster return to regular diet
• Quicker return to normal activity

Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair

ABOUT YOUR HERNIA AND LAPAROSCOPIC REPAIR:
Approximately 600,000 hernia repair operations are performed annually in the United States. Many are performed by the conventional "open" method. Some hernia repairs are performed using a small telescope known as a laparoscope.

• A hernia occurs when the inside layers of the abdominal muscle have weakened, resulting in a bulge or tear. The inner lining of the abdomen pushes through the weakened area of the abdominal wall to form a small balloon-like sac. This can allow a loop of intestine or abdominal tissue to push into the sac. The hernia can cause severe pain and other potentially serious problems that could require emergency surgery.
• Both men and women can get a hernia.
• You may be born with a hernia (congenital) or develop one over time.
• A hernia does not get better over time, nor will it go away by itself.
• The common areas where hernias occur are in the groin (inguinal), belly button (umbilical), and the site of a previous operation (incisional).
• It is usually easy to recognize a hernia. You may notice a bulge under the skin. You may feel pain when you lift heavy objects, cough, strain during urination or bowel movements, or during prolonged standing or sitting.
• The pain may be sharp and immediate or a dull ache that gets worse toward the end of the day.
• Severe, continuous pain, redness, and tenderness are signs that the hernia may be entrapped or strangulated. These symptoms are cause for concern and immediate contact of your physician or surgeon.

ADVANTAGES OF LAPAROSCOPIC HERNIA REPAIR:
Laparoscopic Hernia Repair is a technique to fix tears in the abdominal wall (muscle) using small incisions, telescopes and a patch (mesh). If offers a quicker return to work and normal activities with a decreased pain.

Laparoscopic Colon Resection
Patients undergoing colon surgery often face a long and difficult recovery because the traditional "open" procedures are highly invasive. In most cases, surgeons are required to make a long incision. Surgery results in an average hospital stay of a week or more and usually 6 weeks of recovery.

WHAT IS LAPAROSCOPIC COLON RESECTION?
A technique known as minimally invasive laparoscopic colon surgery allows surgeons to perform many common colon procedures through small incisions. Depending on the type of procedure, patients may leave the hospital in a few days and return to normal activities more quickly than patients recovering from open surgery.
In most laparoscopic colon resections, surgeons operate through 4 or 5 small openings (each about a quarter inch) while watching an enlarged image of the patient's internal organs on a television monitor. In some cases, one of the small openings may be lengthened to 2 or 3 inches to complete the procedure.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF LAPAROSCOPIC COLON RESECTION
Results may vary depending upon the type of procedure and patient's overall condition. Common advantages are:

• Less postoperative pain
• May shorten hospital stay
• May result in a faster return to solid-food diet
• May result in a quicker return of bowel function
• Quicker return to normal activity
• Improved cosmetic results