Laparoscopy: What is Laparoscopic Surgery Vs. Laparotomy - My Experiences

WebMD lists Laparoscopy under the heading digestive disorders but the procedure is used to look at problems with the digestive track in men and women, as well as to look at the female pelvis and reproductive systems. (WebMD)

What is the laparoscopic procedure?

A laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure where under general anesthesia, the patient's belly is incised and a thin tube is inserted (laparascope) into the belly button area. The tube is lit can be used to guide tiny surgeon's implements to take biopsies, or investigate infections, tumors, cysts and other health issues.

A Laparotomy is similar to a laparoscopy procedure however the incision is larger and sometimes is done lower in the pelvis area. (WebMD)

Why would a physician want to perform a laparoscopy?

X-rays such as CT scans, MRI's and even ultrasounds are good for some things, but they can't tell doctors everything they need to know. Sometimes taking samples of internal fluids or tissue helps doctors identify conditions and diseases.

Doctors will use laparoscopic surgery as part of a diagnosis to confirm or validate ailments such as cysts, tumors, or unusually fibrous material that might indicate a cancerous condition. A laparoscopy allows them to see what is going on inside the body and take tissue samples without putting the patient's body through the trauma of major surgery.

What types of procedures are done through laparoscopy?

Tubal ligation or ectopic pregnancies are sometimes investigated and terminated through laparoscopy surgery. Laparoscopic hysterectomy, gastric bypass, prostatectomy, endometriosis and hernia surgery are other reasons for the procedure.

The female reproductive parts and cysts

E-medicine health has excellent educational material on the different types of cysts women get, and it explains how they form, and which ones to worry about.

A hemorrhagic cyst occurs when bleeding occurs within a cyst. Symptoms such as abdominal pain on one side of the body may be present with this type of cyst. Often the cysts will go away on their own, however depending upon the size of the cyst and the discomfort level it brings, a doctor may use the laparoscopic surgery to remove this type of benign cyst. (E-Medicine)

Experiences with laparoscopy and laparotomy surgery

I had vaginal reconstructive surgery when I was 13 years old. At the time, I was told that I would be at an increased risk of having cysts and cancer because of the surgical procedure and subsequent scar tissue.

I was also told that it would be unlikely that I would ever get pregnant due to the size of my female organs. As we all know, doctor's can be wrong, and I was lucky to give birth to my "miracle" girl, having conceived her normally, and carried her full-term to a planned cesarean.

About five years later I was rushed to the hospital. I had become pregnant again, but this time the baby was stuck in the tube, which we only learned after a very stressful emergency room visit. I was having abdominal pain and spotting, and because I was born "funky", my husband insisted they check me further before sending me home.

I could have died as the baby was fine and still growing but I needed an emergency tubal ligation. That time they used a laparotomy procedure because I was several months pregnant and because of my old surgery, they wanted to be sure they could see and do what they needed to do. I was under the knife as soon as they found out what was wrong, and I was out of the hospital in three days.

About five years after that, I was experiencing abdominal pain during sexual intercourse that continued to the point where I was doubled over. It even hurt to stand and the feeling was reminiscent of when I had been rushed to the hospital when I was 13. I didn't take any chances and I insisted on x-rays.

After doing an ultrasound the doctor told me it was a hemorrhagic cyst (about 3" in diameter) filled with blood. He told me I had nothing to worry about. Women get them all the time but they usually are expelled during menstruation.

After several months of pain and no sex, I begged him to remove it, and he agreed to do the surgery. This time the doctor removed the painful cyst through laparoscopic surgery, going in from my belly button.

My general impression of laparoscopy/laparotomy surgery

Honestly, I've been in and out of the hospital so many times, it doesn't really phase me. You get the IV, the anesthesia, you get knocked out, and they fix you up, usually without any complications.

Then you wake up in recovery; bandaged, groggy, and usually quite hungry because they made you starve yourself so you wouldn't crap up the table. No eating or drinking the night before after midnight, unless otherwise directed by the doctor.

A laparotomy and a laparoscopy are both minimally invasive meaning you will probably be back to yourself within a day or two following surgery. You'll have a bandage that needs to be kept dry and clean for a day or two depending upon the size of the incision.

Nowadays the stitches dissolve on their own meaning you may not even have to go back to the doctor's after the procedure is done to have him remove the stitches. Undergoing a laparoscopy is really a piece of cake and not nearly as bad as preparing for a colonoscopy.

Sources:

WebMD, Laparoscopy
E-Medicine, different types of cysts women get,abdominal pain

This article is intended for general information. Always seek the advice of a licensed physician for any medical care, particularly as it relates to abdominal/pelvic pain. Some situations can be life threatening, do not ignore the pain. If abdominal symptoms are accompanied by shoulder pain, it could be a sign of a pending heart-attack. See story about James Wood's brother here.