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:
- Removal of diseased organs such as the gallbladder or appendix
- Removal or repair of diseased parts of the colon or stomach (digestive system)
- Removal or repair of the bladder, ureters, or kidneys (urinary system)
- Removal or repair of women’s reproductive organs, such as the uterus or fallopian tubes
- Tubal ligation
- Removal of a kidney in a living donor
- Weight-reduction procedures, such as gastric bypass
- Repair of a hernia
- To view the liver and pancreas for the presence of cancer tumours
- To view the abdomen for signs of disease that has been difficult to diagnose (exploratory surgery)
- To view a tumour in the abdomen
- To check the source of abdominal pain or remove scar tissue
- To look for the source of internal bleeding or fluid build-up if the patient has a normal blood pressure
- To view injury following trauma or an accident
Gynaecologic conditions diagnosed using laparoscopic surgeries include:
- Endometriosis
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Ovarian cysts :
- Pelvic inflammatory disease [PID]
- Infertility
- Fibroids
- 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:
- A patient is given a general anaesthetic and feels no pain throughout the procedure.
- One or more small incisions are made in the abdomen, usually around the belly button area.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Some pain or throbbing is possible where the small cuts were made.
The doctor may recommend a prescription or over-the-counter pain
reliever.
- If stitches were used, a follow-up appointment for removal of stitches may be scheduled in a week or two as directed.
- 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.
- Pressure from the gas may cause a sensation of needing to urinate
more often and more urgently. This sensation goes away over time.
- The doctor will determine when eating and drinking can be resumed.
- 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