Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic Surgery

This is a surgical procedure wherein a surgeon uses a surgical instrument called a laparoscope to take a peek into the human body for diagnostic purposes and also to perform certain surgeries. Laparoscopic surgery is also called “keyhole surgery” or “minimally invasive” surgery

What is a laparoscopy

A laparoscope looks inside the body, and guides the surgeon via the visuals it transmits back, as he performs the test or surgery. A laparoscope is a long tube-like apparatus with a camera inside and also a light source. A laparoscope is used to magnify and visualize the structure in the abdomen. It is introduced into the abdomen through an incision on the skin.

A laparoscopy is done to diagnose the cause of symptoms like pelvic pain, abdominal pain, and swelling in that region. It may also be done in conjunction with other diagnostic tests like and x-ray or scan to confirm any pathology in the area of interest. Some of the pathologies of the abdomen visible through laparoscopy are: ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cyst, gallbladder stones, endometriosis, appendicitis, etc

What is laparoscopic surgery

In addition to visualizing with a laparoscope, a doctor can use some fine surgical instruments which are also passed into the abdomen with the aid of another small incision to excise, take a biopsy, etc., inside the abdomen

Laparoscopic surgery is used for a variety of procedures to alleviate some very painful and life-threatening pathological symptoms of the abdomen like:

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy – This has now become the standard procedure through which the gallbladder is removed.

Laparoscopic appendectomy – The appendix is excised and sent to lab for further tests.

Endometriosis is also laparoscopically treated.

Laparoscopic procedures are also used to remove parts of the intestines which cause problems to the patient.

Sterilization of women is also done laparoscopically.

Laparoscopic procedure is also used to treat ectopic pregnancy

Biopsy for diagnostic purposes of various part of the abdomen is done with the help of the laparoscopic procedure

Advantages of Laparoscopic Surgery

The use of laparoscopic surgery for treating abdominal complaints has many advantages over the traditional open access surgery. In open access procedure, the patient suffers agonizing and debilitating pain for a few days after surgery while in the laparoscopic procedure, there is less pain and therefore lesser need for postoperative pain medications. There is a reduced chance of infection because the internal organs are not exposed. The patient usually is discharged within 2 days of surgery while an open access procedure will necessitate a longer hospital stay for recuperation. There is also a much better cosmetic result since a laparoscopic procedure leaves smaller and fewer scars

Possible Complications of Laparoscopic Surgery

There can be accidental damage to the intestines or blood vessels. There can also be a miniscule risk of complications of anesthesia and finally the incision site can become infected and may need to be treated with antibiotics. But these complications are very rare or are easily managed with intervention. In a few cases there may be a little pain, but this passes very quickly and there are no debilitating side effects.