Plano, TX, Oct.14, 2015 – Courtesy of advanced laparoscopic techniques gallbladder surgery has long been considered more or less a routine, fairly easy undertaking. A new procedure, however, is taking it to a whole new level.

“Laparoscopic surgery has made this procedure much less invasive, enabling many patients to get back on their feet in little or no time at all,” says Dr. Nick Nicholson, founder and lead surgeon of Abdominal Surgery Specialists, a part of the Nicholson Clinic for Weight Loss Surgery. “Thanks to the new da Vinci Si Surgical System, this procedure has become even less invasive in recent years.”

The new procedure is similar to laparoscopic operations, but it involves only a single incision. This is made in the bellybutton area to limit scarring. The incision enables surgeons to place tiny surgical tools into the body that are then controlled remotely via robotics. Through the incision, surgeons are able to detach and remove the gallbladder and close up the site afterward.

“This procedure makes gallbladder removal even easier on patients,” Dr. Nicholson explains. “Blood loss is minimized as are risks for complications. What’s more, recovery time tends to be a great deal faster with most patients going home from the hospital that day or the next.”

Both laparoscopic and the da Vinci procedure are offered on a case-by-case and surgeon-preference basis. In some cases, a full open procedure that involves a much larger incision may be required to remove a patient’s gallbladder. In some cases, surgeons may simply prefer the option procedure and may not offer alternatives.

People who suffer from gallbladder issues are urged to discuss all their options with their surgeon. The best recommendation will be based on the specific case at hand and a personal surgeon’s area or areas of expertise. The da Vinci procedure, however, is at present the most minimally invasive option available, picking up where laparoscopic procedures left off.