Over the past few years, surgeons have begun using a new technique on adults that makes minimally invasive surgery nearly scarless. Pediatric experts are using the approach to make surgery easier on kids.
Ninth grader Melanie Perez never missed a day of school … until last April. A sudden, searing pain in her stomach sent Perez her family racing to the emergency room for answers.
"He told me there was a tumor on my ovary, something that's not supposed to be there, and he was gonna get it out," Perez told Ivanhoe.
The tumor was the size of a grapefruit, filled with fluid. Instead of three incisions to remove it, pediatric surgeon Matthew Moront made one in Perez's belly button. He inserts two microscopic tools and a camera through the opening. Then he drains and flattens the tumor and pulls it out through the tiny cut in the belly button.
"We felt this was a significant cosmetic improvement as well as an improvement in her recovery, and still a safe and careful operation," Dr. Moront, director of trauma services at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, Penn., told Ivanhoe.
Doctors say the single-port surgery can be used in kids who need their appendix removed, lung biopsies or other abdominal surgeries.
"I remember waking up after taking a nap, and I asked her, does this mean I'm gonna have a really cool scar?" Perez said.
No visible scar and very little missed school for this honor student, who was at home recovering less than two days after her operation.
Dr. Moront says the single-port technique can be performed with traditional laparoscopic instruments. Perez had a type of tumor called a teratoma. While it turned out to be benign, Dr. Moront says all teratomas are treated as though they are cancerous.
More Information If this story or any other Ivanhoe story has impacted your life or prompted you or someone you know to seek or change treatments, please let us know by contacting Melissa Medalie atmmedalie@ivanhoe.com
