Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic Surgery is a minimally invasive technique that most doctors vouch for their patient’s faster recovery with minimal scar formation.

Let's understand a few basics about this surgery and how it can be beneficial for us.

What Is Laparoscopic Surgery?

It's a surgical procedure where small incisions are made, and a tube is inserted, with a fiber optic camera at its end to help visualize the internal organs. Apart from visualizing, specially designed surgical instruments can also be inserted to operate on a given area.

Laparoscopy is performed on various body organs, including the appendix, gallbladder, pelvis, stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, spleen, uterus, urinary bladder, and other reproductive organs.

Difference Between Laparoscopic Surgery and Open Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure through minor cuts in the skin. It will use a small camera tool to see and operate the problem area. It is done with a small incision and has faster recovery.

Open surgery is a procedure that involves making a large incision since the operating field should be visible to the doctor and is performed under general anesthesia.

How Long Does Laparoscopic Surgery Take?

The Laparoscopy procedure usually takes 1-4 hours. Occasionally patients are admitted to the hospital for overnight stay particularly if surgery is long and complicated or patients are suffering from significant nausea, drowsiness, or pain after surgery.

Can Laparoscopic Surgery Be Done Under Local Anesthesia?

Laparoscopy is a certain procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia however abdominal surgeries are usually performed under General anesthesia. The Doctor will choose the type of anesthesia based on the procedure and overall health.

Do You Get Stitches After Laparoscopic Surgery?

Yes, there are one to five small incisions or cuts through which the operation is performed. These incisions need to be closed by stitches, glue, or staples. Usually, dissolvable stitches are done however dressings that cover the stitches need to be taken off about 24 hours after surgery.

Purpose of Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopy is used to diagnose abdominal or pelvic pain, which is when other non-invasive procedures cannot confirm the diagnosis and is usually performed after a CT scan/ MRI cannot provide any conclusive results. When these tests fail to provide sufficient information about diseases. With laparoscopy, a doctor can observe:

• A tumor mass in the abdominal region
• Fluid in the abdominal cavity
• The progress of a specific cancer
• How effective a particular treatment is

After the diagnosis, the Doctor can perform surgery or the next step necessary for treating the disease.

Surgeries Performed Under Laparoscopy

• Cyst, fibroid, stone, and polyp removals.
• Biopsies.
• Hernia repair surgery.
• Esophageal anti-reflux surgery.
• Gastric bypass surgery.
• Cholecystectomy.
• Appendectomy.
• Colectomy.
• Abdominoperineal resection.
• Cystectomy
• Prostatectomy
• Adrenalectomy
• Nephrectomy.
• Splenectomy.
• Radical nephroureterectomy.
• Gastrectomy
• Liver resection.

Benefits of a Laparoscopic Surgery

The laparoscopic procedure is one of the safest procedures when all non-invasive techniques fail and has many benefits such as:

• In-depth insights into the affected area, especially the abdominal region
• Minimum cuts
• Fewer scars
• Less painful
• Quick healing
• Minimum side-effects
• Quick recovery time
• Higher success rates
• Low chances of infection

The risks after the laparoscopic procedures occur but can be quickly resolved, and the patient can resume normal activities within 1 or 2 days, excluding lifting heavy objects or exercising.

Risks of Laparoscopic Surgery

While laparoscopic surgery has some side effects, one must be aware of the potential risks in rare cases. These risks include:

• Infection
• Blood clots
• Internal bleeding

Overall, comparing the benefits and risks of laparoscopic surgery, their benefits outweigh the risks. Thus, laparoscopic surgery is the ideal surgical method and works effectively.

Consult Dr. Abhijit Whatkar to know more about the same.