What is Laparoscopy?
Also called keyhole surgery, laparoscopy is a newer, patient friendly technique of performing operations. Major surgeries inside the abdomen are done through very small cuts on the body. This leads to less pain, less blood loss, quick recovery & very short hospital stay.
What is the Laparoscopy procedure like?
Unlike open surgery which uses an 8- to 10 inch cut to open the abdomen, laparoscopy involves very small incisions (¼ or ½ inches long). Through these small incisions, a fine telescope (the laparoscope) connected to a camera and a light cable and long-reaching instruments are inserted. The surgery is conducted with the aid of images that the surgeon sees on the monitor in front of him.
In some cases hysteroscopy is combined with laparoscopy.
What are the benefits of laparoscopy to the patient?
Laparoscopy uses the same time tested surgical principles, but with many advantages, some of which are
-Smaller incisions (cuts)
-Fine scars
-Short hospital stay,
-Less blood loss,
-Less chance of wound infection, adhesions
-Fast recovery,
-Early resumption of daily activities.
Which diseases can be treated with laparoscopy?
Laparoscopy is useful in following conditions in Gynaecology
- Infertility
- Fibroid removal
- Ovarian Cysts
- Uterus removal (Hysterectomy)
- Endometriosis
- Blocked Fallopian tubes
- Polycystic ovaries (PCO)
- Adhesiolysis
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
- Laparoscopic sterilization
- Urinary Incontinence
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Correction of uterine anomalies
What is Laparoscopic surgery?
Laparoscopic surgery is a modern surgical technique in which operations in the abdomen are performed through small incisions of ¼ to ½ inch. It belongs to the broader filed of endoscopy. Laparoscopic surgical procedures are usually conducted in the abdominal or pelvic cavities.
Is Laparoscopy costlier then open surgery?
As one may be apprehensive about the cost, the overall expenses of Laparoscopy turn out to be the same as open surgery. Although Laparoscopy requires the use of latest technology and sophisticated equipment, the hospital stay and the intake of drugs is reduced, along with early resumption of work, which makes the cost comparable if not less than open surgery.
Are there any risks associated with laparoscopy?
Serious complications are rare in expert hands. Some of the known complications are injury to blood vessels, bladder and bowel. Most of these complications can be managed by laparoscopy.
What is the recovery period following laparoscopy?
Laparoscopy is mostly done on a day care basis. Patients may experience mild abdominal discomfort after surgery.
In most cases, patients can resume light work within 2, 3 days & normal work within a week of surgery.