Inside Scoop on Laparoscopic Surgery

Good news! Your doctor informs you that you're a good candidate for laparoscopic surgery. You're relieved, of course, spared from the prospect of pain or longer recovery time associated with invasive surgery. Surely, laparoscopic surgery will be a snap and you'll be back on your feet in no time, right?

Actually, there's more to laparoscopic surgery than meets the eye and before you sign on the dotted line, it's important to have a good understanding of your surgical options.

What is Laparoscopic Surgery?

Laparoscopic Surgery goes by many names, among them:

Minimally invasive surgery (or MIS)
Keyhole surgery
Bandaid surgery

In a laparoscopy, surgery is performed through small incisions. This differs from traditional surgical procedures where the incision is rather large in comparison.

The critical factor or common element in laparoscopic surgery is use of the laparoscope, which can take two forms, one where the doctor uses a telescopic rod lens system, typically connected to a video camera, and the other where the surgeon uses a digital laparoscope where a "charge-coupled device" is placed at the end of the laparoscope, eliminating the rod lens system. A fiber optic cable is also attached and connected to a light source to illuminate the surgical area. It will be important to consult with your doctor and health care professional on which type of laparoscope is most appropriate for your surgical procedure.

According to experts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) laparoscopic surgery is typically performed in the hospital where the patient undergoes general anesthesia. In some cases, local anesthesia can be used.

Even though laparoscopy is minimally invasive, the patient will receive a set of instructions in advance of surgery akin to undergoing invasive surgery. After surgery, the patient will also receive instructions on how best to recover from the minimally invasive procedure.

History of Laparoscopic Surgery

Believe it or not, laparoscopic surgery has been around for a long time. In the early days of the 20^th century, researchers experimented with minimally invasive surgical techniques and instruments. This idea and approach was refined over time and the laparoscope went on to become an efficient and effective diagnostic tool. The introduction of the computer chip television camera and the ability to magnify the operative field facilitated laparoscopy's promise as both a diagnostic and surgical tool.

Types of Laparoscopic Surgery

According to experts at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), laparoscopy describes a group of operations performed with the aid of a camera placed in the abdomen or pelvis. Examples of these surgical procedures include:

Anti-reflux surgery
Appendectomy
Gallbladder removal
Gynecologic surgery
Hysterectomy
Hernia repair
Gastric banding
Knee surgery
Pelvic surgery
Spleen removal
Tubal ligation

A laparoscope can also be used to diagnose a condition in many areas of the body. The laparoscope is a handy tool for the health care professional because its features make diagnostics less invasive and safer than ever before.

Risks and Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery

Every surgical procedure has its advantages and disadvantages. Before undergoing laparoscopy, it's important to consider the benefits, among them:

Reduced bleeding, hemorrhaging, need for blood transfusion
Less pain
Shorter recover time
Fewer instances of post-op scarring
Shorter hospital stay or same-day discharge
Reduced risk of infection

Experts agree that there are some risks and complications associated with laparoscopic surgery, among them:

Longer procedure
Vascular injury
Electrical burns
Perforated organs and peritonitis
Risk of hypothermia
Coagulation disorders
Hemorrhaging

Sometimes, doctors have to proceed with invasive surgery if and when complications arise from laparoscopic surgery. In any event, it will be important to consult with members of your health care team on the benefits and risks of laparoscopy, how to prepare for your laparoscopy, and what the recovery time looks like.

RESOURCES

Laparoscopy
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Surgical Device Poses a Rare but Serious Peril
Barnaby J. Feder for New York Times, March 17, 2006.

Laparoscopy in Medline Plus
National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health
Updated by: James Lee, MD, Department of Surgery, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. (2008)

Diagnostic laparoscopy in Medline Plus
National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health
Updated by: Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. (2008)

Laparoscopy
Medical Dictionary, The Free Dictionary

What Is Laparoscopy?
E-Health