Laparoscopy

Laparoscopic surgery is a less invasive way of performing surgical procedures than traditional open techniques. Also known as minimally invasive surgery, this technique uses only a few tiny incisions in the body, which surround but are not over the surgical incision.

The advantages of this technique over traditional open surgery include:

• Shorter hospital stay and faster recovery time
• Less pain and bleeding after surgery
• Reduced scars

What happens during a laparoscopic surgery?

A laparoscope is placed through the surgical incisions to view the body’s structures on a screen. Instead of seeing the internal organs directly, the surgeon performs the entire procedure using the visualization projected on the screen.

There are several types of laparoscopic devices, and they range in length, width, and degree of flexibility or rigidity. They generally include a camera, a light source, and surgical instruments.

The tools your surgeon will choose are based on your specific condition and may include:

• Scissors or other cutting instruments
• Tongs
• Scissors
• Needle guides
• Accessories for electrocautery, heat application or hemostasis (bleeding control)
• Sensors for recognizing the texture of organs and tissues

When would you use a laparoscopic procedure?

Laparoscopy can be used to help diagnose a wide range of conditions that develop inside the abdomen or pelvis. It can also be used to perform surgical procedures, such as removing a damaged or diseased organ or removing a sample of tissue for further testing (biopsy).

Laparoscopy is most commonly used in:

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

Is laparoscopic surgery safe?

While all surgeries carry some degree of risk, laparoscopic surgery is considered very safe. In fact, it often reduces the risk of complications after surgery. In a 2009 study of more than 10,000 patients with appendicitis and colectomy, those who underwent minimally invasive surgery had significantly lower rates of postoperative infections, as well as much shorter hospital stays.