What is Laparoscopic Surgery?

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Laparoscopic surgery is a surgical procedure, using a microscopic telescope to see the intra-abdominal or pelvic organs and perform surgery. It is different from the old- fashioned surgeries (conventional methods) which approach the abdominal cavity or pelvic cavity through a wide skin incision (approximately 10 cm.). This new method uses a technique of inserting a microscopic telescope into the abdomen or pelvis through a tiny skin incision (1 cm.) at the umbilicus. The telescope, then, projects the pictures to a number of monitors for the surgeon and the assistances to watch. Afterward, other microscopic surgical instruments are inserted through another 2-3 five-millimeter skin incisions at the lower portion of abdomen. The surgeon can do their work by watching the monitors. Therefore, this new technology is minimal invasive surgery and is called key-hole surgery.

 

Advantages of Laparoscopic Surgery

• Small skin incisions ranging from 0.5-1 centimeter in size

• Lesser pain after surgery

• Early mobilization

• Shorter recovery period

• Lesser adhesion formation and complications

 

Disadvantages of Laparoscopic Surgery

There are some limitations to this minimal invasive surgery such as:

• Unable to operate on a large tumor (larger than 15 cm.)

• Patients with heart or lung diseases are prohibited from this technique.

• Surgeons must be well trained and have good experiences in this new surgical technique.

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Diseases Suitable for using this New Surgical Technique

• Endometriosis (chocolate cyst and adenomyosis)

• Ovarian cyst, ovarian tumor

• Myoma uteri or fibroids

• Ectopic pregnancy

• Pelvic pain (cramps) due to adhesions

• Tubal sterilization

• Infertility

• Diseases in the uterine cavity such as submucous myoma and abnormal menstruation.

• Other gynaecologic diseases under the supervision of gynaecologists

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Laparoscopic Surgical Process

• The patient is operated under general anesthesia.

• The abdominal wall and vagina are cleaned.

• A small skin incision (about 1 cm.) is performed at the umbilicus for a microscopic (little) telescope insertion, and other 2-3 small skin incisions about 0.5 cm. are performed at the lower pelvis for the insertion of the operative instuments.

• When the operation is finished, the patient recovers from the anesthesia and can take liquid diet as long as he/she does not experience nausea and/or vomitting.

• The patient may have mild to moderate degree of pain, which can be relieved with pain-killer medication.

• The patient may move and walk with ease on the first day after the operation.

• The patient is able to leave the hospital on the second day after the operation.

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Post-Surgery Advice for Patients

• Strictly adhere to the doctor's instructions and recommendations.

• Drink more fresh water and do not hold voiding of urine.

• Keep moving and walking to prevent adhesions.

• Contact the doctors and/or nurses when questions and/or problems arise regarding abnormal symptoms.

• Return to the hospital on the date of appointment or come earlier in case of any disorders.

Post-Surgery Complications

The majority of patients feel well and happy after the operation. However, some unwanted annoying symptoms may occured in few patients such as shoulder pain. This pain is caused by the accumulation of the air under the diaphragm, the occurrence is not a serious issue. This shoulder pain will fade away within 1-2 day.

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Laparoscopic Surgery and Quality of Life

This new surgical technique is the minimal invasive surgery, which improves patients' quality of living. Patients operated with this new technique resume their normal life styles sooner and better than those operated under conventional surgery.

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