Laparoscopic surgery: Purpose, Procedure & Recovery

Laparoscopy is often used to identify and diagnose the source of abdominal or pelvic pain. It’s usually performed when other non-invasive methods are unable to help with diagnosis.

Laparoscopic surgery is a specialized technique for performing gynaecologic surgeries and most of the intestinal surgeries like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, cancer, rectal prolapse and severe constipation.
During the past two decades, minimally invasive surgeries have become a part of almost every field of surgery. Advanced operative laparoscopy, when performed by trained laparoscopic surgeons in technically well-equipped centers with the help of sufficient laparoscopic support staff, has proved out to be safe and effective in many cases.

Purpose

Laparoscopic surgery is commonly used in the diagnosis of a wide range of abdominal and pelvic conditions. It is also widely used to carry out surgical procedures such as the removal of diseased or damaged tissue, fibroids or cysts as well as for biopsies. With an increase in the incidence of infertility caused due to majority of uterus related problems, this procedure is also being used in the study and treatment of the female reproductive system (gynaecology) to examine the outside of the uterus, the fallopian tubes, and the ovaries—particularly in pelvic pain cases, followed by conditions of the digestive system (gastroenterology) and conditions affecting the urinary system (urology).
Laparoscopic instruments and techniques are used for a variety of procedures, including knee and shoulder surgery. Operations now often performed laparoscopically include the following, among many others:

1. Removal of diseased organs such as the gallbladder or appendix
2. Removal or repair of diseased parts of the colon or stomach (digestive system)
3. Removal or repair of the bladder, ureters, or kidneys (urinary system)
4. Removal or repair of women’s reproductive organs, such as the uterus or fallopian tubes
5. Tubal ligation
6. Removal of a kidney in a living donor
7. Weight-reduction procedures, such as gastric bypass
8. Repair of a hernia
9. To view the liver and pancreas for the presence of cancer tumours
10. To view the abdomen for signs of disease that has been difficult to diagnose (exploratory surgery)
11. To view a tumour in the abdomen
12. To check the source of abdominal pain or remove scar tissue
13. To look for the source of internal bleeding or fluid build-up if the patient has a normal blood pressure
14. To view injury following trauma or an accident

Gynaecologic conditions diagnosed using laparoscopic surgeries include:

1. Endometriosis
2. Ectopic pregnancy
3. Ovarian cysts :
4. Pelvic inflammatory disease [PID]
5. Infertility
6. Fibroids
7. Ovarian cancer

Procedure

During the laparoscopic surgical procedure, certain conditions can be treated using instruments and devices specifically designed for laparoscopy. Medical devices that can be used in conjunction with laparoscopy include surgical lasers and electrosurgical units. Laparoscopic surgery is now-a-days preferred over open surgery for several types of treatments because of its minimally invasive nature and its association with fewer complications.
The main procedure involves the following steps:

1. A patient is given a general anaesthetic and feels no pain throughout the procedure.
2. One or more small incisions are made in the abdomen, usually around the belly button area.
3. A tube is inserted at the incision site and the abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas. This allows the surgeon a better view of the internal organs, as well as more room to work. The laparoscope is inserted through the tube and images of the internal structures are relayed to the TV monitor.
4. Surgical instruments can then be inserted via further small incisions that can be made, depending on what the surgeon finds and what procedures they need to perform.
5. Once the operation is finished, the gas is expelled from the abdomen and the incision is closed using stitches.

Recovery

For patients, laparoscopy can often mean a faster recovery from surgery, less time in the hospital or outpatient surgery center, and less trauma to the body. Again, the recovery period after laparoscopy to treat a condition depends on the type of treatment. After minor surgeries, you may be able to resume normal activities within two weeks.
Recovery time is much shorter with laparoscopy than with regular (open) surgery. The procedure may even be performed on an outpatient basis, meaning the patient can return home the same day of the procedure.

After the Laparoscopic Surgery:

1. Some pain or throbbing is possible where the small cuts were made. The doctor may recommend a prescription or over-the-counter pain reliever.
2. If stitches were used, a follow-up appointment for removal of stitches may be scheduled in a week or two as directed.
3. Sometimes the carbon dioxide gas can trigger shoulder pain after the procedure. Some of the same nerves that reach the shoulder are present in the diaphragm, and the gas may irritate the diaphragm. The pain goes away over time.
4. Pressure from the gas may cause a sensation of needing to urinate more often and more urgently. This sensation goes away over time.
5. The doctor will determine when eating and drinking can be resumed.
6. Once a person has sufficiently recovered, he or she can be sent home, provided the patient doesn’t drive or ride back home.

Many fertility centers are now inclined to using Laparoscopy for endometriosis treatment, removal of fibroids, cysts, etc., in order to enhance the probabilities of a couple to conceive pregnancy.
For more information, you can consult our IVF Specialists at our Milann centers and resolve your infertility issues with minimal invasive surgery.
To book your appointment call: 1800-4706-45266 or visit www.milann.co.in