The navel is now the route for all major and common abdominal surgical prodecures like appendix, gall bladder stones and the bariatric surgery for weight loss.

Spider technology has been used for the first time in the Asia Pacific in Delhi, India. It is an efficient alternative to the conventional laparoscopic surgeries that usually require upto 5 incisions to be made on the abdomen for the entry of various instruments and a camera.

The spider technology requires one tiny inscision to be made in the navel and hence not clearly visible after it heals too. Through this inscision one tiny rod like machine, reminding you of scenes from the movie Matrix, would be inserted. This rod branches in to an tiny branches that look like an opened up umbrella and has numerous instruments which can move in all directions. After the procedure the apparatus returns to the the normal rod shape for removal.

This technology hence eliminates the need for special inscisions from other parts on the abdomen. Lesser incisions means lesser scars which means lesser pain. The patient can resume daily activities in fewer days than the respite needed after a conventional laparoscopy. No stitches would be required but there would be a general dressing that would allow the faster healing and waterproofing of the incision.

Another advantage is the sterility and safety which are ensured by a new apparatus for every patient  as the “spider” is disposable.

However, it has its cons too. The procedure as of today is Rs. 30,000 more expensive than the conventional laparoscopy. This technology is the epitome of the minimally invasive class of surgeries.

AW - Anil