Laparoscopic Surgery: Procedure, Recovery & Benefits

Laparoscopic Surgery is an advanced surgical procedure performed in the pelvic & abdomen area. It is a highly preferable surgical technique in today’s surgical world, as it requires only small cuts to be made into the patient’s body.

Being a low-risk procedure that does not require big incisions, laparoscopic surgery can explore your abdominal area on a video monitor without the need for open surgery.

The word Laparoscopic Surgery is derived from the term ‘Laparoscope’, which is used to perform the surgery, it is an instrument that has a tiny video camera and light attached on its end.

This procedure can also be used for diagnostic purposes to collect samples of tissue which are also known as ‘Biopsies’ for testing.

How It’s Done:

Before the system and the machinery came into existence, the doctors had to make a cut, which was about 6-12 inches long. That gave them enough room to see what they were doing and reach whatever they had to work on.

In Laparoscopic Surgery, the surgeon usually makes some small incisions, usually, each one is no more than a half-inch long. (That’s why it is sometimes called Keyhole Surgery.). After that, they insert a tube through each opening, and the camera and surgical instruments go through them. Then the surgeon does the operation while looking at the clear view of the surgical area on the video monitor.

Why Do We Need Laparoscopic Surgery?

Laparoscopy can be used to help diagnose a wide range of conditions that develop inside the abdomen or pelvis. It can be also used to remove major organs that may be damaged or diseased. It can also be very helpful in diagnosing the disease.

Laparoscopy is majorly used for:

• Gastroenterology – for diagnosing & treating digestive system disorders.
• Urology – for diagnosing & treatment of diseases of the urinary tract.
• Gynaecology – for diagnosing & treatment of conditions affecting the female reproductive system.

Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery:

Working with Laparoscopic Surgery has several advantages compared with traditional surgery because it involves less cutting:

• You will have smaller scars.
• Your discharge from the hospital will be much quicker.
• You will feel less pain while the scars heal, as they heal faster.
• You get back to your normal activities sooner.
• The internal scars will also be much fewer.

With Traditional Open Surgery, which involves big incisions, you may require to spend more time in the hospital after the surgery and your recovery might take 4 to 8 weeks. On the other hand, if you have Laparoscopic Surgery you might stay only a couple of nights in the hospital and recover in 2 or 3 weeks. A shorter hospital stay is beneficial for the patients and it costs less.

What are the Potential Risks in Laparoscopic Surgery?

Complications are rare but as with any surgery, infection is a risk. Bleeding in the abdomen is also possible. Scars may also develop. Anesthesia provided during surgery can cause Heart Attacks, Strokes, and Pneumonia, but these consequences are very rare.

During laparoscopic surgery, the following risks exist:

• Bleeding
• Problems related to anesthesia
• Infection
• A blood clot that could enter the bloodstream, causing clotting in your legs, pelvis, or lungs
• A blood clot can travel to your brain that may cause a major problem

Recovery from Laparoscopic Surgery:

In most cases, you can go home soon after your surgery. You will need to wait until your anesthesia has worn off and your surgeon & nursing staff have made sure you aren’t experiencing any side effects from the procedure. In the days following your laparoscopy, you will recover at home.

While you are recovering at home after your Laparoscopic Surgery, you should keep these things in mind:

• You should not drink alcohol and drive 24 hours before the surgery.
• You can bath any time after surgery.
• The bandages could be removed by the doctor the next day after the surgery. And the remaining tapes
  could be removed after 2-3 days of the surgery.
• You can generally return to work three days after surgery. If you need a doctor’s letter excusing you
  from work, please request one at your pre-operative appointment.
• The majority of current anesthetics are only temporary. You should not have any after-effects or
  discomfort for more than a day after your surgery.