Mar 17, 2010

New kidney transplant surgery leaves smaller scar

Dr Nadey Hakim, a surgeon in London's Hammersmith Hospital, has pioneered a surgery technique for kidney transplants that leaves a scar of only about one inch - which is dramatically smaller than the surgery scars left by traditional methods.

While most kidney transplant surgeries require an incision measure between 15 and 20 centimeters, Hakim uses a method known as "keyhole surgery" to cut through skin, fat and muscle, leaving a mark of only about 2.5 centimeters, The Hindu reports.

Aside from the cosmetic disadvantages, Hakim told the news source that traditional methods could be "detrimental to the patient because it's a big incision and you have to cut through all the muscles."

He added that older methods can cause hernias and discomfort, discouraging many individuals from donating their organs.

Transplant charities are praising Hakim's keyhole method, as they believe the innovation may encourage more people to offer kidneys to the almost 7,000 UK residents awaiting transplants.

Though even the new technique leaves a noticeable scar, surgery patients have reported success using silicone gel sheeting and silicone ointment to help conceal their topical wounds within weeks after their surgery.
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