There has been extensive debate on the use of laparoscopic (‘keyhole’) surgery versus more traditional ‘open’ surgery.

Many surgeons prefer ‘keyhole’ surgery for its benefits, which include less pain, a shorter hospital stay and improved quality of life after surgery for the patient.

Surgeons who favour the traditional approach often argue that ‘keyhole’ surgery is more dangerous than open surgery, leading to a greater chance of complications.

However, it must be noted that the greater chance of complications only tends to occur when the ‘keyhole surgery’ procedure is being performed by surgeons who do not have the benefit of regular practice of this method, ie. those who prefer more traditional methods and therefore do not routinely perform ‘keyhole’ surgeries. In the hands of a skilled and experienced laparoscopic surgeon, ‘keyhole’ surgery is a safe and minimally invasive procedure with good outcomes.

More than 80% of surgeries performed by Dr Salfinger is via a laparoscopic approach.