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Minimally Invasive General Surgery

Unlike traditional open surgery, in which the physician makes a long incision to access the anatomy, minimally invasive surgery uses small incisions, resulting in faster recovery and less pain for the patient.

In general surgery, minimally invasive surgeries are often performed laparoscopically, using a laproscope, a small telescope that is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision. The laproscope enables the surgeon to view the anatomy, and tiny surgical instruments are inserted through other small incisions to repair the problem.

"We're able to offer patients even smaller incisions or no incisions to perform a traditional surgery that requires several or larger incisions," says general surgeon Dr. Richard Bloomberg. Watch our one-minute interview with Dr. Bloomberg below to learn more.

Some general surgeries may be performed using a single incision, potentially resulting in no visible scarring.

Click here to learn about Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery and watch a video of Dr. Kenneth Eckhert, III, MD, a general surgeon at Mercy Hospital and chair of Mercy's Robotics Committee.

General Surgeries

• Removal of adrenal gland (Adrenalectomy) 
• Appendix removal (Appendectomy) 
• Gallbladder removal (Cholecystectomy)
• Hernia repair 
• Spleen removal (Splenectomy) 
• Partial colon removal (Hemicolectomy); this procedure is performed via robotic-assisted laparoscopy. 
• Reflux surgery (treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD)

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News

• Mercy Hospital is First in Western New York to Perform Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery for Removal of the Right Colon 
• Mercy Hospital Introduces “Scarless” Surgery
• Niagara Falls Woman First to Receive “Scarless” Surgery at Kenmore Mercy

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Becoming a Patient 

To schedule a consultation with one of our physicians, contact our HealthConnection representatives at (716) 447-6205 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday - Friday.