Laparoscopic Surgery

LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY

INFORMATION

The word laparoscopy comes from the combination of the word laparo (lapara-abdomen in Greek) and scope (to look at , watch, in Greek)

Laparoscopic or “minimally invasive” surgery is a specialised technique for performing surgery through small incisions in the abdominal wall, without requiring a large incision as was the case in the past. 

LAPAROSCOPIC surgery
possibly the most important development of General Surgery 
during the 20th century

Bariatric / Metabolic surgery

LAPAROSCOPIC surgery

Over the last 20 years the use of this technique has expanded into almost all parts of abdominal and pelvic  surgery. In traditional “open” surgery the surgeon uses a single incision to enter into the abdomen. 

Laparoscopic surgery uses several 0.5-1.5 cm incisions. Each incision is called a “port.”  At each port a tubular instrument known as a trocar is inserted.  Specialized instruments and a special camera known as a laparoscope are passed through the trocars during the procedure. At the beginning of the procedure, the abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide (CO2) gas to provide a working and viewing space for the surgeon. The laparoscope transmits images from the abdominal cavity to high-resolution video monitor in the operating room. During the operation the surgeon watches detailed images of the abdomen on the monitor. This system allows the surgeon to perform the same operations as traditional surgery but with smaller incisions.  

LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY ADVANTAGES

1

Smaller surgical trauma

While open surgery requires large incisions in the abdomen so that there is direct vision and contact with the internal organs, during laparoscopy the surgeon performs the operation through small incisions and sees the internal organs enlarged on the screen. In this way we have much smaller surgical trauma resulting in faster recovery
2

Significantly less postoperative pain

Lesser use of pain medications
3

Shorter in-hospital stay

In traditional methods, the recovery time of a patient was 4 to 8 weeks and hospital stay was 7 or more days, but in laparoscopic surgery, recovery time is 1 to 2 weeks and hospital stay is 0-2 nights
4

Faster return to normal activity

You will be albe to follow your normal routine quickly
5

Significantly reduced trauma related complications (e.g. infection, hernia, chronic pain)

Less vulnerable to infections
6

Less scarring

The prime advantage of laparoscopic surgery is that it creates minimal scar tissue both externally and internally
7

Better aesthetic result

Smaller scars

Additional Info

Examples of laparoscopic operations
  • Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal)
  • Laparoscopic hernia repair (groin, umbilical, femoral, incisional)
  • Laparoscopic appendicectomy
  • Laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery
  • Laparoscopic diaphragmatic hernia repair
  • Laparoscopic bariatric surgery (weight loss / metabolic surgery)
  • Diagnostic laparoscopy
  • Laparoscopic adhesiolysis (division of scar tissue)   
  • Laparoscopic splenectomy
  • Laparoscopic liver cyst excision or biopsy
  • Laparoscopic gastric (stomach) surgery
  • Laparoscopic small bowel resection (for benign or malignant conditions)
  • Laparoscopic colectomy (large bowel removal for benign or malignant conditions)
  • Laparoscopic Heller's myotomy (Achalasia treatment)