Laparoscopic Surgery - What Is The Utility Of It?

There are many kinds of conditions and symptoms that require different kinds of surgery for treatment as well as diagnostic management. One such procedure is called a laparoscopy or laparoscopic surgery. This is a surgical diagnostic management procedure that is known to be a low-risk process with minimal invasion and suitable for various types of ailments.

Read on to know everything about laparoscopic surgeries.

Definition: Laparoscopy is an operation performed in the abdomen or pelvis using small incision with the aid of a camera. The laparoscope aids diagnosis or therapeutic interventions with a few small cuts in the abdomen. There are a number of diseases in the abdomen which can be diagnosed and treated by laparoscopy or laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopy carries a low risk of complications being a minimally invasive procedure. It is suitable for the diagnosis and treatment of various inflammatory conditions and tumours. Laparoscopy is done through small openings (also called keyhole surgery) in the abdominal wall through which operating instruments and a telescope with high-intensity light are introduced inside the abdominal cavity and the view is recorded by a high-resolution camera and also seen by the surgeon and his assistants on the monitor. The operation can be carried out by surgeons/gynaecologists. Most of the diagnostic procedures such as biopsies or therapeutic operations are performed to remove the appendix, gall bladder, liver, stomach, rectum, ovaries, uterus, ectopic pregnancies, tubal ligations, kidneys, spleen, etc. These operations can be safely performed. The procedures are done without a long incision in the abdominal wall. Therefore, is less painful and the patient can be discharged in a couple of days or a few days. It is safe and preferred by doctors and patients. 

What all can it Detect: The laparoscopic surgery can help in detecting a number of diseases including infection or tumour. It can also show the presence of fluid if any and extent of the spread of cancer in the peritoneal cavity. Side effects may include shoulder or back pain from residual carbon dioxide used for inflating the abdomen, which can irritate the diaphragm. The patient may have abdominal bloating and fatigue. Fever, chills, swelling, bleeding or redness of the site and shortness of breath are rare. Symptoms if any should be reported to the doctor immediately as that may point to an infection. There is a risk of organ damage such as perforation of the intestine. Most of the patients are able to return to work 1 to 3 weeks after a laparoscopy. Patients undergoing diagnostic or simple procedures as tubal ligation can go back to work in 1 week. Restrictions on lifting weight generally recommended for 6 weeks after major abdominal or vaginal surgery and 1 or 2 weeks after diagnostic laparoscopy.