Emergency appendectomy using SILS technology performed at K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital

Hackensack Meridian Children's Health pediatric general surgeon Margaret M. McGuire, M.D, FACS,FAAP., was the first surgeon at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center to perform an emergency appendectomy using single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) technology.

The procedure to remove the appendix -; which is a thin pouch attached to the large intestine in the lower-right part of the abdomen -; was performed using Olympus TriPort technology.

SILS appendectomy is a technically challenging procedure performed through a single small incision. Traditional laparoscopic appendectomy procedures are performed through several small incisions.

Dr. McGuire, who is triple board certified in pediatric surgery, surgical critical care and general surgery, specializes in minimally invasive surgery and is a specialist in laparoscopic procedures performed via the umbilicus. In addition to many single-incision laparoscopy procedures, she has performed thousands of surgeries, including procedures resulting from trauma, oncological conditions and congenital abnormalities.

"The major advantage of SILS over traditional laparoscopic surgery is that only one incision is required instead of several, this can lead to decreased pain and recovery time," said Dr. McGuire. "We also make the incision so it is hidden along the belly button resulting in a great cosmetic result. SILS is a surgical technology which can be used and adapted for a variety of operations.

During SILS and traditional laparoscopic appendectomy procedures, surgeons use an instrument called a laparoscope -; a long, thin tube with a light at the end. The surgeon inserts small tools and the laparoscope into the body through trocars through small incisions. The video camera lets the surgeon see the surgical area in real-time on a video monitor, so they can guide the surgical tools and remove the appendix.

SILS is the next frontier in minimally invasive surgery, and our expert team is leading the way. By taking laparoscopic procedures and making them even less invasive, we can improve outcomes and reduce the length of hospitalization and recovery time for our youngest patients."

Hapreet Pall, Chair, Pediatrics, K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital, and Academic Chair, Pediatrics, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine