Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS)

Laparoscopic Surgery and the Covidien SILS™ Procedure

The SILS™ procedure is a laparoscopic surgical procedure using a single incision (through the belly button) to accomplish any number of treatments including gallbladder removal, gynecologic procedures (like hysterectomies) and others. By utilizing just one 20mm incision, the SILS™ procedure avoids the multiple entry points – usually involving up to four 1/2-inch or smaller incisions – required by traditional laparoscopic techniques.

Generally, candidates for laparoscopic surgery are also candidates for the SILS™ procedure. Criteria may include: no prior surgery and an elective or non-emergent case. Instead of requiring the four 1/2-inch or smaller incisions associated with traditional laparoscopic surgery that may leave visible scars, the SILS™ procedure is accomplished with a single 20mm incision through the belly button resulting in the potential for no visible scar.
Moreover, a single incision minimizes the pain that may be associated with the additional sites of entry.