Lowered Risk, Quicker Recovery: LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY

Not always, but surgery is the only option to treat certain conditions. In some cases, surgery is required to make a right diagnosis. In today’s scenario, improved technology in the medical field has made LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY an option for certain specific cases. This means a smaller incision and a shorter postoperative recovery time.

WHAT IS LAPAROSCOPY?

This is a surgical procedure carried out with the help of an instrument called a Laparoscope, a slender tube with a camera at one end. It is used to carry out minimally invasive surgeries in the abdomen and pelvis region. Originally Laparoscopy was used for Gallbladder surgery, but today it is being used successfully for gynaecology surgery and intestinal surgery.

THE PROCEDURE

Before surgery, the abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to provide a working and viewing space for the surgeon. Several 0.5-1cm incisions are made. Narrow tubes called tronchar are inserted into these incisions. The laparoscopy is slid into the body via one of the tronchars. The camera at its end allows the operating surgeon to get a good view of the insides of the patient without having to make a wide incision that is required in traditional surgery. The images transmitted from the laparoscope give the doctor a detailed view of the abdomen. Along with the laparoscope, other specialised surgical tools are inserted in the body to carry out the procedure.

HAND ASSISTED LAPAROSCOPY & ROBOTIC LAPAROSCOPY

In special cases besides the tiny incisions for the tronchar, the doctor may need to make a slightly bigger incision – large enough to fit a hand. This surgical technique is called Hand Assisted laparoscopy. While the incision is bigger than the other laparoscopic incisions, it is still much smaller than those made during traditional surgery (15-30cm).

For even more precise output, in some cases a robotic arm is used to carry out the procedure once the surgical tools are inserted. The surgeon controls the robotic arm using a computer. Robotic Laparoscopic Surgery is used for gynaecology and urology surgery.

USE OF LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY

In Gynaecology, Laparoscopic surgery is used as a diagnostic tool and treatment options for

• Ectopic pregnancy
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids, Ovarian Cysts
• Pelvic Prolapse
• Hysterectomy

In general, laparoscopic surgery may be used to diagnose:

• Tumour
• Blockages
• Unexplained bleeding
• Other abdominal Infections
• Incontinence

BENEFITS OF LAPAROSCOPY

• The incisions made are smaller, so are the scars.
• While the scars heal, you will feel less pain.
• Recovery is quicker. This means you can get back to normal life in 2 – 3 weeks.
• Reduced handling of internal organs, hence reduced chance of infection

Laparoscopy has become the go to procedure for treating gallbladder stones, bariatric surgery, nephrectomy, benign prostatic hyperplasia and other urological procedures for stones, or strictures. It being quicker, less painful and minimally invasive, Laparoscopic Surgery is definitely one of the best advancements of medical technology today.