What Is Laparoscopic Surgery And How Effective It Is
What is Laparoscopic Surgery?
Laparoscopy uses smaller cuts to operate. The surgical process is named after the laparoscope. This tool has a small video camera and light on the end. The surgeon makes small cuts into the patient and inserts the tube. The feed from the camera is viewed on a monitor.
Before this system’s arrival, a surgeon who operated on a patient’s abdomen made a large cut that was 6-to-12 inches long. This large cut was necessary for the surgeon because it allowed them enough space to see the affected part. In this way, they had a proper view and reach to operate and cure the patient.
This device allows the surgeon to see what’s happening inside the patient. A few decades back, surgeons had to make larger openings to operate. Now with these tools, they can work with smaller cuts.
The Process
Laparoscopic surgery is also known as minimally invasive surgery. The surgeon makes several small cuts in this procedure. It is also called keyhole surgery as an incision is no more than a half-inch long.
A decade earlier, this technique was restricted to use for gynecologic and for gallbladder surgery. Now, this precision surgery technique is used for intestinal surgery.
In the initial stage of this procedure, the abdomen is filled with carbon dioxide gas. When the abdomen is inflated it provides more room for the surgeon to view the internal condition. The laparoscope or the tube which has a camera at the end transmits images to video monitors in the operating room.
The surgeon carefully looks at the video feed and operates but with smaller incisions.
Different Kinds of Laparoscopic Surgery
It depends upon the operation, the surgeons insert the camera and other surgical tools through one opening. This method prevents excessive scarring. But it requires greater skill in the end because the instruments are so close together.
There is another method in which the surgeon uses a device that allows him to reach in with a hand. This method is known as hand-assisted laparoscopy. This process results in a larger cut but it is still smaller than any traditional surgery. Due to hand-assisted laparoscopy, surgeons can operate on the liver and other organs.
Benefits
- In simple terms, patients can avoid large open wounds.
- Decrease blood loss, pain and discomfort.
- Technologically advanced precision instruments cause less tissue trauma and blood loss.
- Postoperative complications are generally lower
- Patients can get out of the hospital earlier and get back to their normal activities sooner.
- Chances of internal scarring are lower
Let us consider an example. If operated with traditional methods, a patient will spend more time in the hospital for intestinal surgery. Patient’s recovery can take 4 to 8 weeks.
If the patient had laparoscopic surgery, he only needed to stay 2-3 nights in the hospital. His total recovery would take place in 2 or 3 weeks. Moreover, a shorter stay at the hospital is good for wellbeing and also means lesser costs.