Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery, also referred to as keyhole surgery, is a minimally invasive surgery technique that is now popularly used across specialities. Initially, this technique was used to perform gall bladder removal and gynaecological surgeries. But today, laparoscopic surgery in India is a preferred alternative to open surgeries for a number of reasons.

It involves small incision cuts and the insertion of a thin tube called laparoscope. The tube is fitted with a camera allowing high resolution visuals of the internal organs. Since the incisions are small, the healing is faster and the recovery time significantly lesser than regular open surgery.

Types of Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy, also known as minimally invasive surgery, encompasses various types tailored to specific medical needs. Here are some common types:

• Diagnostic Laparoscopy: This procedure involves inserting a laparoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera) into the abdomen to visually inspect internal organs for any abnormalities, such as adhesions, tumors, or inflammation.
• Therapeutic Laparoscopy: In therapeutic laparoscopy, surgeons perform specific surgical interventions using laparoscopic techniques. This could include procedures such as removing the gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), repairing hernias, treating endometriosis, or removing ovarian cysts.
• Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove the uterus using laparoscopic techniques. It can be performed for various medical reasons, including uterine fibroids, abnormal bleeding, or cancer.
• Laparoscopic Appendectomy: It involves the removal of the appendix using laparoscopic instruments. This procedure is commonly performed to treat appendicitis.
• Laparoscopic Nephrectomy: In this procedure, a surgeon removes a kidney using laparoscopic techniques. It may be necessary due to conditions such as kidney cancer or severe kidney disease.
• Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery: These are weight-loss surgeries performed laparoscopically, including procedures such as gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and adjustable gastric banding.

Laparoscopic Surgery Procedure

Laparoscopic surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery, involves using small incisions and specialized instruments to perform surgical procedures. Here's a general overview of the laparoscopic surgery procedure:

• Anesthesia: Before the surgery begins, the patient is administered anesthesia to ensure they are comfortable and pain-free throughout the procedure. The type of anesthesia used (general or local) depends on the specific surgery and the patient's medical condition.
• Incision: Instead of a large incision used in traditional open surgery, laparoscopic surgery requires only several small incisions, typically ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters in length. These incisions serve as entry points for the laparoscopic instruments and camera.
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Insufflation: After making the small incisions, the surgeon inserts a tube called a trocar into each incision. Carbon dioxide gas is then pumped into the abdomen through one of the trocars. This gas inflates the abdomen, creating space for the surgeon to work and providing better visibility of the internal organs.
• Insertion of Laparoscope: A laparoscope, which is a long, thin tube with a camera and light source attached to it, is inserted through one of the trocars. The camera sends images of the internal organs to a monitor in the operating room, allowing the surgeon to visualize the surgical area in real-time.
• Manipulation of Instruments: Specialized surgical instruments are inserted through the remaining trocars. These instruments have long, thin shafts and small working tips that allow the surgeon to perform the necessary manipulations, such as cutting, dissecting, or suturing, inside the abdomen.
• Surgical Procedure: Using the laparoscopic instruments and camera guidance, the surgeon performs the intended surgical procedure. This may involve tasks such as removing diseased tissue or organs, repairing damaged structures, or performing other necessary interventions.
• Closure: Once the surgical procedure is complete, the laparoscopic instruments are removed, and the carbon dioxide gas is allowed to escape from the abdomen. The small incisions are then closed with sutures or surgical glue.
• Recovery: After the surgery, the patient is taken to a recovery area where they are monitored closely as they wake up from anesthesia. Depending on the complexity of the surgery and the patient's condition, they may be discharged home on the same day or stay in the hospital for observation and further recovery.

Complications of Laparoscopic Surgery 

Despite being minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgery still carries the risk of complications:

• Trocar injuries: Trocar injuries may occur when the sharp instrument (trocar) used to puncture the skin during laparoscopy causes damage. While rare, these injuries can result in blood vessel, bowel, or nerve damage, as well as port-site hernias.
• Insufflation complications: Insufflation complications arise from reactions to the carbon dioxide used during the procedure. Insufflation involves blowing carbon dioxide into a body cavity. Potential complications include carbon dioxide retention, collapsed lung, subcutaneous or intrathoracic air retention, and hypothermia if the carbon dioxide is not adequately warmed.
• General surgical risks: General surgical risks which are inherent to any surgery, encompass possibilities such as allergic reactions to anesthesia, adhesions (scar tissue formation) between organs or between an organ and the abdominal wall, excessive bleeding, and wound infections.

Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery offers numerous advantages compared to traditional surgery due to its minimally invasive nature:

• Smaller incisions result in less noticeable scars.
• Patients typically experience shorter hospital stays.
• Reduced pain during the healing process, with quicker recovery times.
• Faster return to normal activities.
• Potential for less internal scarring.
• Lower risk of wound infection.
• Decreased risk of bleeding.
• Reduced need for pain medication.

At Care Hospitals, which is among the top laparoscopic surgery hospitals in India, the procedure is done by expert surgeons and hence patients experience less discomfort and pain.