Best Laparoscopic Surgeons in Undri, Pune | Dr. Narendra Chopde
Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that uses a special surgical instrument called a laparoscope to look inside the body or to perform certain operations. Laparoscopy is a procedure to look inside your tummy (abdomen) by using a laparoscope.
A laparoscope is like a thin telescope with a light source. It is used to light up and magnify the structures inside the abdomen. A laparoscope is passed into the abdomen through a small cut in the skin.
When compared with traditional surgery, laparoscopic surgery usually has:
- Less pain following the procedure.
- Lower risk of complications.
- A shorter hospital stay and a quicker recovery.
- A much smaller scar.
When laparoscopy is done?
A laparoscopy may be done to find the cause of symptoms such as abdominal pain, pelvic pain, or swelling of the abdomen or pelvic region. It may also be done if a previous test (such as an X-ray or scan) has identified a problem. Laparoscopy enables a doctor to see clearly inside your abdomen. Some common conditions which can be seen by laparoscopy include:
How is laparoscopy done?
Laparoscopy and laparoscopic surgery are usually done whilst you are asleep under general anesthesia. The skin over the tummy is cleaned. The surgeon or gynecologist then makes a small cut about 1-2 cm long near the belly button. Some gas is injected through the cut to ‘blow out’ the abdominal wall slightly. This makes it easier to see the internal organs with the laparoscope which is gently pushed through the incision into the abdominal cavity. The operator then looks down at the laparoscope or looks at pictures on a TV monitor connected to the laparoscope.
If you have a surgical procedure, one or more separate small incisions may be made in the abdominal skin. These allow thin instruments to be pushed into the abdominal cavity. The surgeon can see the ends of these instruments with the laparoscope and so can perform procedures. A more recent technique called single-port laparoscopy involves operating through the same incision through which the laparoscope was passed and does not require additional cuts to the abdomen.
When the surgeon has finished, the laparoscope and other instruments are removed. The incisions are stitched and dressings are applied. The dressings will cover the incisions and should be kept on until the incisions have healed.
Laparoscopic surgery can be used for various procedures which include:
Removal of the gallbladder. This is sometimes called laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or ‘lap choly’, for short. It is now the most common way for a gallbladder to be removed, usually for gallstones that are causing pain.
- Removal of the appendix.
- Removal of patches of endometriosis.
- Removal of parts of the intestines.
- Female sterilization.
- Treating ectopic pregnancy.
- Taking a biopsy of various structures inside the abdomen, which can be looked at under the microscope and/or tested in other ways.
What might happen after a laparoscopy?
The length of time to recover can vary. It depends on why the procedure was done and what operations were performed. A simple investigation to ‘look around’ will leave you a little uncomfortable for a few days.
You may need a day or so to feel completely well after the general anesthetic. You may take longer to feel well if you were under anesthetic for a long time.
You are able to eat and drink as normal after laparoscopy. Laparoscopic surgery may take longer to recover your normal bowel function.
You are able to drive only if you are able to operate the vehicle safely, ie not be distracted by pain or nausea. This includes being able to perform an emergency stop.
You may have some pain in your shoulder tip. This is caused by the gas that was pumped inside. It can irritate your diaphragm which has the same nerve supply as the shoulder tip and makes it feel as though your shoulder hurts. This soon wears off.
