Laparoscopic Surgery

Surgeons perform laparoscopic surgery using special medical instruments.

ABOUT LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY

What is Laparoscopic Surgery?

Laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) is a surgical technique in which we make minor (typically 5-10 mm) nicks in the abdominal wall instead of large cuts on the abdomen. Through these openings, we introduce specialized instruments and a telescope inside the patient’s body to examine and treat diseases of your internal organs

When is laparoscopy used?

Laparoscopy Surgery can help diagnose many conditions that develop inside your tummy. Laparoscopy is used to carry out surgical procedures and remove a tissue sample for further testing (biopsy).

Laparoscopy Surgery is most commonly used in:

  • Gastroenterology– the study and treatment of conditions affecting the digestive system
  • Urology – the study and treatment of conditions affecting the urinary system
  • Gynecology – the study and treatment of conditions affecting the female reproductive system

Laparoscopy Surgery is most commonly used in:

  • Esophagus (food pipe)
  • Stomach
  • Small intestine
  • Large intestine
  • Rectum
  • Abdominal wall (for hernias)
  • Liver
  • Gall Bladder
  • Pancreas
  • Spleen
  • Appendix

Free Download

Download Your Laparoscopy Patient Info Guide

In addition to above, we may recommend laparoscopy for certain special situations like
  • Taking biopsy from an abdominal mass or tumor
  • Draining fluid from the abdominal cavity to send to laboratory for diagnosis
  • Estimate the extent of liver disease
  • To know the effectiveness of certain treatments
  • To know the stage of progression of some abdominal cancers
How is laparoscopy performed?

Laparoscopy is carried out under complete anaesthesia, so you don’t feel pain during the procedure. We make one or more small cuts on your tummy during the surgery. These allow us to insert the laparoscope(Telescope), small surgical tools, and a tube to pump CO2 gas into the abdomen. The telescope makes it easier for us to look around and operate. After the procedure, the gas is let out of your abdomen, the incisions are closed using stitches, and a dressing is applied. You can often go home on the same day. But sometimes an overnight stay is required.

Advantages or Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery

There are several advantages to the patient with laparoscopic surgery versus an open procedure. These include:

  • Shorter duration of hospital stay, with most patients being able to leave on the same day
  • Lesser pain and discomfort.
  • Reduction of  risk of bleeding
  • Reduced risk of infection
  • Reduced risk of adhesions
  • Reduced risk of a blood clot in the legs or lungs
  • Reduced blood loss
  • Less trauma to the patient.
  • Smaller and better skin scars.
  • Faster recovery and back to work
  • Better outcomes in certain types of cancers
What are the risks of laparoscopy?

Undergoing a laparoscopy carries some risks. However, the risks are relatively low.

Minor complications

Minor complications are estimated to occur in 1 or 2 of a few hundred cases. They include:

  • Infection
  • Minor bleeding and bruising around the incision
  • Feeling sick and vomiting
Serious but rare complications

Rare complications after laparoscopy are estimated to occur in 1 in every 1,000 cases. They include:

  • Damage to an organ, such as your bowel or bladder
  • Damage to a major artery
  • Complications arising from the use of carbon dioxide during the procedure,
  • A serious allergic reaction to the general anesthetic
  • A blood clot developing in a vein, usually in one of the legs (deep vein thrombosis or DVT), which can break off and block the blood flow in one of the blood vessels in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)

Treatment of many of these rare complications often requires a 2nd operation.

>