Laparoscopic Surgery: An overview

Laparoscopy is considered a minimally invasive surgery as the body’s natural openings are not used. Instead, the surgeon uses an instrument called a laparoscope. Also called keyhole surgery, laparoscopy is considered an endoscopic procedure and is usually performed to as part of an investigation of the abdominal and pelvic cavity.

Most common illness diagnosed and treated through laparoscopy are:

1 Female reproductive system: it allows doctors to investigate problems such as endometriosis, fibroid tumors, pelvic floor and vaginal prolapse. It can also be used to determine if there are any abnormalities in the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. An Ectopic pregnancy can be terminated through a laparoscopic procedure. Some types of hysterectomies can also be performed using a laparoscopic procedure.
2 Adhesions: It can be used to check for the presence scar tissue in the pelvic cavity.
3 Diseases of the urinary system: Laparoscopy is used to probe and treat both malignant and non-malignant conditions of the kidney, blockages of the urethra, and incontinence.
4 Cancers: Liver and pancreas cancers can be diagnosed through laparoscopy
5 Removal of diseased organs: gall bladders with stones and the appendix can be removed and hernias can be repaired through this procedure.

A laparoscopy is performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the nature of the problem. It is conducted with the help of a laparoscope, which is a long thin instrument which has a light source at its tip. This is inserted into the abdomen or pelvic cavity and helps to illuminate the cavity. It also has a small lens at its tip, through which images are carried via a fiber optic lens system to a video monitor, which the surgeon and other staff can view in real time. The laparoscope can be moved around in the cavity and allows the doctor to see several views of the organ in question. Rather than making big cuts, surgeons insert thin, additional instruments from side ports and can easily operate on the patient.

Thus the idea behind a laparoscopic procedure is that it minimizes operative blood loss as well as post operative pain. It is becoming increasingly popular with patients as the scars are smaller and recovery period is much shorter. However, the drawbacks include accidental damage to surrounding organs, as the doctor may face trouble in maneuvering the instruments; there is restricted vision and lack of tactile perception. Also, occasionally the incision may become infected, which may require a course of antibiotics.

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