At Wickenburg Community Hospital Surgical Clinic, state-of-the-art technology allows our team of medical professionals to be progressive across the complete continuum of care for our patients. Our highly-skilled, board-certified general surgeon Dr. Robert Ripley, MD, FACS specializes in minimally invasive endoscopic surgical techniques, including extensive experience in performing laparoscopic hernia repair, colon surgery, and gallbladder removal. Minimally invasive surgery allows patients to experience an easier recovery than traditional open surgery. They also allow for more precise and less traumatic surgery. When minimally invasive surgery is not an option, Dr. Ripley is also skilled and experienced in traditional open surgical procedures.
If you need to schedule a general surgery procedure that does not require a physician referral, or if you are unsure whether you need a physician referral please call Wickenburg Community Hospital Surgical Clinic at 928-668-5506.
You may be familiar with terms like laparoscopic surgery, thoracoscopic surgery, or “keyhole” surgery. These are minimally invasive procedures that utilize an endoscope to reach internal organs through very small incisions.
During endoscopic surgery, the surgeon inserts a thin, flexible tube with a video camera through a small incision or a natural orifice like the mouth or nostrils. The tube has a channel to utilize tiny surgical instruments, which the surgeon uses while viewing the organs on a computer monitor.
This technique allows the surgeon to see inside the patient’s body and operate through a much smaller incision than would otherwise be required of traditional open surgery.
The benefits of endoscopic surgical procedures can include:
Hernias (laparoscopic hernia repair): Benefits of laparoscopic hernia surgery include tiny scars rather than one larger incision, less pain after surgery, a quicker return to work, and a shorter recovery time (days instead of weeks).
Gastrointestinal/rectal conditions (laparoscopic colon resection): This procedure allows surgeons to perform many common colon procedures through small incisions. Depending on the type of procedure, patients may leave the hospital in a few days and return to normal activities more quickly than patients recovering from open surgery.
Gallbladder disorders (laparoscopic cholecystectomy- gallbladder removal): Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery (cholecystectomy) removes the gallbladder and gallstones through several small cuts (incisions) in the abdomen. The surgeon inflates your abdomen with air or carbon dioxide in order to see clearly.
Laparoscopic surgery has very wide-ranging applications and is used in a number of very different diseases. For patients that are suitable for laparoscopic surgery, the experience is much easier. However, it is not appropriate for everyone. To find out if you are suitable for minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, call our surgery clinic to arrange a consultation with Dr. Ripley: 928-668-5506
We provide expert pre-operative, operative, and post-operative management of general surgery patients with a broad spectrum of conditions:
State-of-the-art Surgical Technology | Board-Certified General Surgeon
Make an appointment with Dr. Ripley: 928-668-5506
Request Referral Information for Dr. Ripley: 928-668-5506
Community Hospital Clinics are located in Wickenburg, Wittmann, and Congress. We sincerely follow our mission to provide quality health and wellness services where the patient, family, and community come first.
Read MoreOur 8 bed Emergency Room department is fully staffed with emergency physicians, nurses, and ER specialists. Your wait time is typically measured in minutes not hours as in the larger metropolitan hospitals.
Read MoreWickenburg Community Hospital provides a wide variety of surgical care and treatment. We serve a vibrant and active community who favors quality health care close to home.
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