91Èȱ¬

Explore the 91Èȱ¬
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.


Accessibility help
Text only
91Èȱ¬ 91Èȱ¬page
91Èȱ¬ Radio
91Èȱ¬ Radio 4 - 92 to 94 FM and 198 Long WaveListen to Digital Radio, Digital TV and OnlineListen on Digital Radio, Digital TV and Online

PROGRAMME FINDER:
Programmes
Podcasts
Presenters
PROGRAMME GENRES:
News
Drama
Comedy
Science
Religion|Ethics
History
Factual
Messageboards
Radio 4 Tickets
RadioÌý4 Help

Contact Us

Like this page?
Send it to a friend!

Ìý

Science
CASE NOTES
MISSED A PROGRAMME?
Go to the Listen Again page
PROGRAMME INFO
Tuesday 21:00-21:30
Repeat Wednesday 16:30
DrÌýMark PorterÌýgives listeners the low-down on what the medical profession does and doesn't know. Each week an expert in the studio tacklesÌýa particular topic and there are reports from around the UK on the health of the nation - and the NHS.
Contact Case Notes
LISTEN AGAINListenÌý30 min
Listen toÌý16 May
PRESENTER
DR MARK PORTER
Dr Mark Porter
PROGRAMME DETAILS
TuesdayÌý16 MayÌý2006
A bunch of keys

Full programme transcript >>

Keyhole Surgery

Medical telescopesÌýwhich allow surgeons to peek inside the bodyÌýhave been around for more than a century, and were first used to examine the abdomen in 1901.
Ìý
In the last 40 years the laparoscope has transformed many operations, reducing hospital stays from days to hours with smaller scars and fewer complications.Ìý The laparoscope can also be used to diagnose life-threatening conditions like an ectopic pregnancy.ÌýÌý

In Case Notes Dr Mark Porter looks at the uses of keyhole surgery in modern medicine. His guest in the studio is Professor Michael Bailey from the Minimum Access Therapy Training Unit in Guildford

Diagnostic Tool

Gynaecologists were among the first to adopt laparoscopic surgery, initially to examine inside the pelvis. It's now used for a wide range of routine and emergency procedures. When women are sterilised, clips are placed onto the fallopian tubes using a laparoscope.

If a fertilised egg develops outside the womb - normally in one of the fallopian tubes - an ectopic pregnancy results, which is potentially life-threatening.Ìý

MarkÌýhears from Consultant Gynaecologist Mark Whittaker at Gloucester Royal Hospital as he performs an operation to rule out an ectopic pregnancy.

Gall Bladder Removal

The gall bladder is a small bag-shaped organ on the right hand side of the body, just below the liver. ÌýIt stores a green liquid called bile, which is produced to help the body digest fats and other substances. Ìý

Some people develop stones in their gall bladder, which can become inflamed and very painful. The commonest treatment is removal of the gall bladder - a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Before keyhole techniquest removal of the gall bladder involved a large incision and days in hospital.

We hear from Jennifer, who has her gall bladder removed at the Royal Berkshire hospital by surgeon Tom Dehn.

Training

Would-be surgeons learn by watching their more experienced colleagues and by using surgical simulators.

Mark meets Consultant Surgeon Bijendra Patel who runs the MSc course in Surgical Skills at Barts and the Royal London Hospitals, where they have one of the few laparoscopic surgical simulators currently in use in the UK. The simulator can be used to assess performance and develop the precise hand-eye coordination needed to work in the two dimensions seen on the screen in the operating theatre.

Mr Patel puts Mark's operating skills to the test on the simulator…
Listen Live
Audio Help
DON'T MISS
Leading Edge
PREVIOUS PROGRAMMES
Emergency Services
Ovary
Heart Attacks
Appendix
Insects
CotÌýDeath
Antibiotics and Probiotics
Taste
Abortion
HPVÌý
Hair
Poisons
Urology
Aneurysms
Bariatric Surgery
Gardening
Pain
Backs - Slipped Discs
Prostate Cancer
Sun andÌýSkin
Knees
Screening
Rheumatology
Bowel Cancer
Herpes
Thyroid
Fainting
Liver
Cystic Fibrosis
Superbugs
SideÌýEffects
Metabolic Syndrome
Transplants
Down's Syndrome
The Voice
M.E./CFS
Meningitis
Childhood Burns
Statins
Alzheimer's
Headaches
Feet
Sexual Problems
IBS
Me and My Op
Lung Cancer and Smoking
CervicalÌýCancer
Hips
Caesarean Sections
The Nose
Multiple Sclerosis
Radiology
Palliative Care
Eyes
Shoulders
Leukaemia
Blood Pressure
Contraception
Parkinson's Disease
Head Injuries
Tropical Health
Ears
Arts and HealthÌý
Allergies
Nausea
Menopause and Osteoporosis
Immunisation
Intensive Care (ICU)
Manic Depression
The Bowel
Arthritis
Itching
Fractures
The Jaw
Keyhole Surgery
Prescriptions
Epilepsy
Hernias
Asthma
Hands
Out of Hours
Kidneys
Body Temperature
Stroke
Face Transplants
Backs
Heart Failure
The Royal Marsden Hospital
Vitamins
Cosmetic Surgery
Tired All TheÌýTime (TATT)
Obesity
Anaesthesia
Coronary Artery Surgery
Choice in the NHS
Back to School
91Èȱ¬opathy
Hearing and Balance
First Aid
Dentists
Alder Hey Hospital - Children's Health
Thrombosis
Arrhythmias
Pregnancy
Moorfields Eye Hospital
Wound Healing
Joint Replacements
Premature Babies
Prison Medicine
Light
Respiratory Medicine
Indigestion
Urinary Incontinence
The Waiting Game
Diabetes
Contraception
Depression
Auto-immune Diseases
Prescribing Drugs
Get Fit and Get Well Food
Autism
Vaccinations
Oral Health
Blood
Heart Attacks
Genetic Screening
Fertility
A+E & Triage
Antibiotics
Screening Tests
Sexual Health
Baldness


Back to Latest Programme
Health & Wellbeing Programmes

Archived Programmes

News & Current Affairs | Arts & Drama | Comedy & Quizzes | Science | Religion & Ethics | History | Factual

Back to top


About the 91Èȱ¬ | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy
Ìý