A hernia occurs when tissue or part of an organ, usually the intestines, protrudes through the abdominal wall. The protruding tissue may lose blood supply and become obstructed, resulting in life-threatening health problems. Most hernias occur in the abdominal wall, either in the groin (inguinal, femoral), navel (umbilical) or at old surgical incision sites (incisional). Hernias can cause pain, especially with lifting of heavy objects, coughing, sneezing, urination or bowel movements. A lump or bulge may also be apparent. Surgery is the only method to correct hernias. Hernia surgery entails replacing the protruding tissue back into the abdominal cavity and repairing the weakened or torn muscle that allowed it to pass through. This alleviates pain and corrects or prevents the occurrence of more serious problems.

Dr. Long repairs hernias laparoscopically or open depending on the size and type. Laparoscopic surgery offers an effective solution for incisional and ventral hernias. Minimally invasive surgery for hernias involves minimal incisions and the use of a specially designed surgical mesh that covers and reinforces the damaged opening in the muscle. This method results in faster recovery times for patients and a much-reduced rate of postoperative hernia recurrence (10 percent or less) compared to standard open surgery methods. (as high as 20 to 49 percent).

To learn more about our laparoscopic techniques for ventral/incisional hernia repair, contact our practice today.

A hiatal hernia is an abnormally large opening in the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the abdomen from the chest. If the size of the opening (the hiatus) is not reduced, the stomach and other organs can bulge into the chest. Acid from the stomach then flows backwards into the esophagus, causing acid reflux, tissue damage or even cancer. Symptoms can include heart burn, chest pain, night-time cough, voice change or even in rare cases sinusitis and pneumonia.

In a hiatal hernia repair, the stomach and any other organs that have protruded through the opening are pulled back into the abdominal cavity. Then the hiatus is repaired with sutures. The stomach is then freed up and is wrapped around the upper part of the esophagus in a procedure called the Nissen Fundoplication. This is procedure is performed by Dr. Long laparoscopically by small incisions allowing the patient to go home the same day or the next morning. Laparoscopic surgery can be used to repair this condition, with far less blood loss during surgery and a shorter recovery period than required by traditional open surgery. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is a complex and highly specialized procedure, performed by very few surgeons in the United States. Dr. Long is proud to offer this alternative to patients suffering from chronic gastroesophageal reflux problems and heartburn.

Contact our practice today to learn more about this procedure.

Laparoscopic colon surgery is an advanced surgical technique performed by relatively few practitioners because of the high degree of surgical mastery required. It has many advantages over conventional open colon surgery, including shorter hospital stays and recovery times, less scarring and postoperative pain, and a faster return to normal colon function. Many colo-rectal conditions, such as colon cancer, polyps, diverticulitis, and ulcerative colitis may require surgical intervention. Laparoscopic colon surgery can often be used to treat these conditions with great success. Like other types of minimally invasive surgeries, laparoscopic colon surgery involves several small incisions made in the abdomen that allow the surgeon to remove the diseased portion of the colon and reattach the healthy ends. Dr. Long is among a select handful of surgeons who perform laparoscopic colon surgery.

If you would like to consult with Dr. Long about a colorectal condition or learn more about the many surgical options we offer, please contact us today.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, except for skin cancers. The chance of developing invasive breast cancer at some time in a woman's lifetime is about 1 in 8 (12%). It is estimated that in 2008 about 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among women in the United States. Women living in North America have the highest rate of breast cancer in the world. Once abnormalities are discovered, a referral to a surgeon is recommended. It is of the utmost importance that all questions and concerns are answered. There are usually several treatment options in each case that we will discuss with you.

If you would like to learn more about the minimally invasive procedures which we perform, please contact our office today.