General and Laparoscopic Surgery Dr. Rovito performs a wide range of general surgical procedures, both laparoscopically and open. Dr. Rovito has been performing laparoscopic surgery since this minimally invasive method of surgery was developed and is widely respected for his skill and expertise in this area. Laparoscopic (or minimally invasive) surgery is performed with the assistance of a camera through several tiny incisions. Recuperation is generally shorter and there is less scarring, as there are no large incisions. However, not every patient is a candidate for laparoscopic surgery, nor is every procedure done better this way. Please ask Dr. Rovito to help you make the best choice. For more information about laparoscopy from the Journal of the American Medical Association, please click on the link: JAMA Patient Page: Laparoscopy
GENERAL SURGERY PERFORMED: Hiatal Hernia Repair Inguinal Hernia Repair Cholecystectomy Common Bile Duct Exploration Appendectomy Anti-Reflux Procedure (Nissen) Colon Resection Adrenalectomy Splenectomy Heller Myotomy (Achalasia) Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass (see Bariatric page for details)	Additional information about surgical procedures is provided by respected sources like the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the American College of Surgeons (ACS), the National Institutes for Health (NIH), the American Cancer Society, and more. Information obtained through these links is for your information only and should NEVER be considered an adequate replacement for medical consultation with a professional.	HERNIA REPAIR: A hernia (her'-ne-ah) occurs when a small sac containing tissue protrudes through an opening in the muscles of the abdominal wall. A hernia develops when the outer layers of the abdominal wall weaken, bulge or actually rip. The hole in this outer layer allows the inner lining of the cavity to protrude and to form a sac. Any part of the abdominal wall can develop a hernia. For more information from the American College of Surgeons, click here: Hernia Repair
CHOLECYSTECTOMY: Cholecystectomy (ko-le-sis-tek'-tuh-me) is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. Frequently, the gallbladder contains stones or develops an infection that can interfere with its role in the digestive process. The exact causes of these conditions are not known. For more information from the American College of Surgeons, click here: About Cholecystectomy (Surgical Removal of the Gallbladder)	BILE DUCT EXPLORATION: The Common Bile Duct (CBD) is a tube connecting the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas to the small intestine that helps deliver fluid to aid in digestion.The CBD exploration is a procedure used to see if a stone or some obstruction is blocking the flow of bile from your liver and gallbladder to your intestine. For additional information from the Cleveland Clinic, click here: Bile Duct Exploration	APPENDECTOMY: Appendectomy (ap-pen-DECK-toe-me) is the surgical removal of the appendix. This article will explain to you: Why you may need to have an appendectomy, The ways in which an appendix is removed, What to expect before and after the operation. For more information from the American College of Surgeons, click here: Appendectomy (Removal of the Appendix)
ANTIREFLUX SURGERY: Antireflux surgery is an operation to repair an abnormal condition (gastroesophageal reflux) in which stomach acids back up into the esophagus, damaging its lining and causing pain. The procedure involves tightening of the lower esophageal sphincter (valve) so that stomach juices cannot flow up into the esophagus, causing a person to have chronic heartburn. For additional information from the American Medical Association, click here: Anti-Reflux Procedure (Nissen)	COLON RESECTION: Most people have in their colons small pouches called diverticula that bulge outward through weak spots. This condition is called diverticulosis. When the pouches become infected or inflamed, the condition is called diverticulitis. This happens in 10 to 25% of people with diverticulosis. For more information from the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, click here: Colon Resection	ADRENALECTOMY: The adrenal cortex produces hormones which control the body’s metabolic process. Without cortisol or aldosterone the body is not able to respond adequately under minimal physical or emotional stress, including change in temperature, exercise, or excitement. When an adrenal tumor or malignancy is present, an adrenalectomy is performed to reduce excessive secretions of adrenal hormones. For more information from the Cleveland Clinic, click here: Adrenalectomy
SPLENECTOMY: The spleen is located in the upper left portion of the abdomen, behind the stomach. Its functions are to filter blood, remove bacteria, make blood, and store blood. If your physician diagnoses any of the following diseases, you may be a candidate for splenectomy (removal of the spleen): acute and chronic leukemia, cysts, primary splenic thrombocytopenia, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), primary splenic neutropenia, Felty’s syndrome, Banti’s disease, congestive splenomegaly, splenic tumors, splenic artery aneurysms, lymphomas, thrombolytic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), HIV splenomegaly, splenomegaly, splenocytosis, or a variety of anemias. For more information from the Cleveland Clinic, click here: Splenectomy	HELLER MYOTOMY (Achalasia): Achalasia of the esophagus is characterized by a lack of peristalsis – the action that moves food through the esophagus towards the stomach, resulting in high pressure where the esophagus meets the stomach. Symptoms of achalasia include difficulty swallowing and vomiting undigested food. Recurrent episodes may cause pneumonia, especially in the elderly. If this condition worsens, weight loss and malnutrition may develop. Pain is infrequent but heartburn may result due to retention of food in the esophagus. For more information from the Cleveland Clinic, click here: Heller Myotomy (Achalasia)	Bariatric Surgery: Bariatrics is the field of medicine that specializes in treating obesity. Bariatric surgery is a surgical subspecialty that performs operations to treat morbid obesity. Because obesity is so difficult to treat in the long term, doctors and scientists are looking for ways to help persons who have this chronic disease. Bariatric surgery may be an option for some persons with severe obesity. For more information from the Journal of the AMA, click here: Bariatric Surgery For detailed information on the Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, Dr. Rovito's procedure of choice for the treatment of morbid obesity, click on the Bariatric Surgery page on the toolbar at the left side of this page.