Abdominal surgery
The term "abdominal surgery" covers any surgical procedures that involve opening the abdomen in order to treat diseases of the internal organs. During the last two decades, minimally invasive techniques have come to be recognized as an approved method of abdominal surgery.
Inguinal hernias:
Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is the accepted method of treatment for this common condition. Transabdominal pre-peritoneal inguinal hernia repair (TAPP) has distinct advantages over traditional open types of repair because it allows the surgeon to see into the peritoneal cavity and assess any changes in the organs. Bilateral hernias can be repaired without any need for extra incisions. A mesh is then inserted to close the rupture.
Abdominal wall and incisional hernias:
In laparoscopic surgery to repair incisional and abdominal wall hernias, three small incisions are made so that surgical instruments can be inserted. Then a special mesh is placed on the inner side of the abdominal wall. This intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) cannot adhere to the internal organs. Abdominal adhesions that have been caused by previous surgical procedures can also be removed during this procedure.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):
Laparoscopic antireflux surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that corrects GERD by creating an improved valve mechanism at the bottom of the esophagus. To correct GERD, the surgeon wraps the upper part of the stomach (called the fundus) around the lower portion of the esophagus. This creates a tight sphincter so that food will not reflux back into the esophagus. The use of mesh is not necessary.
Adhesive disease:
Anything that causes damage to the peritoneum - the smooth, slippery tissue covering the organs in the abdominal cavity - may result in adhesions. Surgical procedures, infections and inflammation from endometriosis are the most common causes. Adhesions can lead to pain in the abdomen, problems with digestion or infertility. If there are no other reasons for these problems, removal of the adhesion using minimally invasive techniques will help.
Gallstones:
Minimally invasive surgery is used to remove gallstones. Surgery on female patients can be performed via the natural orifices of the body. The technique is known as natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, or NOTES for short.
Acute and chronic appendicitis:
Endoscopic surgery is also used to remove the appendix in cases of acute and chronic appendicitis. Surgery on female patients can also be performed via the natural body orifices (NOTES method) if so wished.
Adj. Professor
Michael Imhof, M.D.
Endocrine and
Abdominal Chirurgie
ATOS
KLINIK HEIDELBERG
Bismarckstraße 9-15
D-69115 Heidelberg
Phone: 06221 983 290
Fax: 06221 983 299
E-mail: imhof@atos.de
Consultation hours
Monday
09.00 a.m. to 05.00 p.m.
Tuesday
09.00 a.m. to 02.00 p.m.
06.00 p.m. to 08.00 p.m.
Wednesday
09.00 a.m. to 02.00 p.m.
06.00 p.m. to 08.00 p.m.
Thursday
09.00 a.m. to 02.00 p.m.
06.00 p.m. to 08.00 p.m.
Friday
09.00 a.m. to 01.00 p.m.
Saturday
10.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m.