Few years back Laparoscopy might have sounded so alien to many but thanks to advanced medical practice we’re here and moving with the rest of the world, but then, how many people know about Laparoscopy in its entirety? I know a lot of people who are freaked out by the word “surgery”, some are outrightly scared of the procedure itself while some worry about the surgical scar etc. In view of these I woke up this beautiful Saturday morning with the little inspiration to put together a few lines about Laparoscopy.
Definition:
Laparoscopy is a type of Surgical procedure that allows a Surgeon to access the inside of the abdomen or pelvis without having to make large incisions in the skin. It’s also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery. Laparoscopy is used to find problems such as cysts, adhesions, fibroids and infection. Tissue samples can be taken for biopsy through the tube (laparoscope).
How is it done?
The Surgeon makes one or more small incisions and using an instrument called the Laparoscope he is able to view the inside of the abdomen and pelvis. The Laparoscope has a light source and a camera which relays images of the inside of the abdomen and pelvis to a television monitor.
Laparoscopy is done to:
- Check for and possibly take out abnormal growths (such as tumors) in the belly or pelvis.
- Check for and treat conditions such as endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- Find conditions that can make it hard for a woman to become pregnant. These conditions include cysts, adhesions, fibroids, and infection. Laparoscopy may be done after initial infertility tests do not show the cause for the infertility.
- Do a biopsy.
- See whether cancer in another area of the body has spread to the belly.
- Check for damage to internal organs, such as the spleen, after an injury or accident.
- Do a tubal ligation.
- Fix a hiatal hernia camera.gif or an inguinal hernia camera.gif.
- Take out organs, such as the uterus, spleen camera.gif, gallbladder camera.gif (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), ovaries, or appendix (appendectomy). Partial removal (resection) of the colon also can be done.
- Find the cause of sudden or ongoing pelvic pain.
During the Laparoscopy
Normal:
The organs are normal in size, shape, and position.
Adhesions, cysts, or abnormal growths, such as tumors, are not seen.
No signs of disease (such as endometriosis), inflammation (such as appendicitis), or infection are seen.
Abnormal:
An organ may be abnormal in size, shape, or position.
Adhesions, cysts, or abnormal growths, such as tumors, may be seen.
Signs of disease, such as endometriosis, or infection may be seen.
An ectopic pregnancy may be present.
Inflammation of an internal organ may be present, such as appendicitis, cholecystitis, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
Scar tissue may be seen on an internal organ, such as the fallopian tubes.
Advantages:
- Shorter Hospital stay and faster recovery. You can often go home within hours after the procedure. You may need to stay overnight depending on the procedure.
- Complications are rare.
- Less pain and bleeding after the operation.
- Reduced scarring.
Post Surgery:
You may have some bloating. There may be bruising around the incisions for a few days. You may have some pain around the incisions. Do not drink carbonated beverages for 1 to 2 days after the laparoscopy to lower your chance of gas pains and vomiting.
The gas used during the laparoscopy can irritate your diaphragm for a few days. You may have some pain or achiness in your shoulder for a couple of days after the laparoscopy.
Some of the gas in your belly may leak into your skin and cause a crackling sound if you rub the skin surrounding the stitches. This is not serious and will go away in a few days.
Call your doctor immediately if you have:
A large area of redness or swelling around the incisions.
Bleeding or drainage from the stitches.
Fever.
Severe belly pain.
Hoarseness in your voice that lasts more than a few days or gets worse.
———————————-
Ref: NHS
Read more about Laparoscopy at http://www.laparoscopysurgeon.org
Have a lovely weekend.
Ekpo, MD
