General GI Surgery
What is a Laparoscopic Procedure?
A laparoscopic, or minimally invasive surgical procedure, is an alternative to traditional "open" surgery in which a large incision must be made. At the University of Maryland Medical Center, surgeons provide patients with minimally invasive options whenever possible. Our surgeons use laparoscopic surgery to make incisions only millimeters in size.
These small incisions create a passageway for special surgical instruments and a laparoscope. A laparoscope is a fiber-optic instrument that is inserted in the abdominal wall. This device transmits images from within the body to a video monitor, allowing the surgeon to see the operative area on the screen.
Advantages to the minimally invasive approach include:
- Quicker recovery
- Quicker return to normal activities and work
- Shorter hospital stay
- Reduced rate of infection
- Reduced recurrence rate
- Minimal scarring
The University of Maryland General/Gastrointestinal Surgery Center provides comprehensive care for patients with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and features a highly experienced team of doctors who specialize in treating the most complex cases.
The General/GI Surgery Center uses the most advanced laparoscopic techniques to treat all types of gastrointestinal and other general surgery-related illnesses. There are many advantages to this approach, including quicker recovery and shorter hospital stays, as well as a significantly reduced risk of infection and recurrence.
We repair many surgeries laparoscopically, which is not true on a national level. Although we perform surgeries minimally invasively whenever possible, we are also very experienced in performing traditional (open) surgery. Most importantly, each treatment is tailored to meet the needs of each individual patient.
Conditions Treated
The General/GI Surgery Center offers surgical treatment for a wide range of gastrointestinal- and abdominal-related illnesses, including:
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Hiatal hernia
- Infectious diseases of the colon and rectum
- Reflux esophagitis (or GERD) and its complications
- Barrett's esophagus
- Radiation bowel injury
- Primary neoplasms of the stomach, small bowel, colon and rectum
- Achalasia
- Inflammatory bowel disease and continent reconstruction
- Gastrointestinal tumors
- Primary and metastatic liver tumors
- Benign and malignant diseases of the biliary tract
- Benign and malignant diseases of the pancreas
Specialized Treatment Services
The Center's team of specialists offers a full range of diagnostic and treatment services designed to provide patients with the most effective care possible. We offer a wide range of both minimally invasive and standard procedures, including:
Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures
- Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy
- Laparoscopic Appendectomy
- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
- Laparoscopic Colon Surgery
- Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
- Laparoscopic Nephrectomy
- Laparoscopic Pancreatic Surgery
- Laparoscopic Splenectomy
See a complete list of minimally invasive surgical procedures we perform.
Open Procedures
- Abdominal surgery
- Adrenalectomy
- Appendectomy
- Breast biopsy
- Colon resection
- Nissen fundoplication
- Roux en-Y
- Whipple
Multidisciplinary Treatment Approach
Our multidisciplinary treatment approach benefits our patients by bringing together the best minds to consult on each patient.
Depending on the case, we work with various types of surgeons as well as medical and surgical oncologists, radiologists and nurses to ensure the best outcomes. Patients have access to the expertise of all University of Maryland Medical Center surgeons and staff in one convenient place. We bring the doctors to the patient instead of the other way around.
In addition, patients may have the opportunity to enroll in the latest clinical trials. Our researchers are continually initiating trials and investigating other types of treatments.
Leaders in the Field
Collectively, UM surgeons are experienced in performing all types of general GI procedures, and are up-to-date with the latest trends. In addition to the surgical expertise, our surgeons are all members of the University of Maryland School of Medicine faculty and teach future doctors and community doctors how to perform various procedures.
Operating Rooms of the Future
At the University of Maryland Medical Center, patients are treated in the nation's newest, most technologically advanced surgical facilities, which houses more than 20 operating rooms for adult and pediatric patients.
Operative suites are designed to accommodate the latest technical innovations and the best patient care practices. The operating rooms combine the most advanced video and other communications equipment with information technology in order to enhance patient safety and operational efficiency. More than 16,000 surgeries are performed at the Medical Center each year.
