Learn All About Laparoscopic Surgery, Its Main Uses and Various Advantages

First we will know, what is Laparoscopic surgery?

Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure which uses a unique surgical instrument called a laparoscope to appear inside the body, or to perform certain operations. A tiny camera is attached to the laparoscope, which transmits the picture to a television screen above the operating table. Instruments are then inserted into additional incisions to retract, cut, suture, and staple.

• Laparoscopic surgery is a new surgical specialty which involves operating through small incisions.


• Typically, about 4 incisions less than 1/2 inch (10 millimeters) in length are used. Carbon dioxide gas is used to create a working space within the abdomen, but also in other areas of the body.

This laparoscopic surgery is sometimes called 'key-hole surgery' or 'minimal invasive surgery'. Laparoscopic surgery can be used for various procedures.

• Over the last 10 years the use of this method has expanded into intestinal surgery. In traditional "open" surgery the surgeon uses a single incision to go into the abdomen. Laparoscopic surgery uses several 0.5-1cm incisions. Each incision is called a "port." At each port a tubular instrument known as a trochar is inserted. Specialized instruments and a special camera known as a laparoscope are passed through the trochars during the procedure.


• At the beginning of the procedure, the abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to provide a working and viewing space for the surgeon.


• The laparoscope transmits images from the abdominal cavity to high-resolution video monitors in the operating room.


• During the operation the surgeon watches detailed images of the abdomen on the monitor. This system allows the surgeon to perform the same operations as traditional surgery but with smaller incisions.


• In certain situations a surgeon may choose to use a special type of port that is large enough to insert a hand. When a hand port is used the surgical technique is called "hand assisted" laparoscopy. The incision required for the hand port is larger than the other laparoscopic incisions, but is usually smaller than the incision required for traditional surgery.

For which diseases we can use Laparoscopic Surgery?

Removal of the gallbladder. This is sometimes called a laparoscopic cholecystectomy or 'lap choly' for short. It is now the most common way for a gallbladder to be removed.

• Removal of the appendix.


• Removal of patches of endometriosis.


• Removal of parts of the intestines.


• Female sterilisation.


• Treating ectopic pregnancy.


• Taking a biopsy (small sample) of various structures inside the abdomen which can be looked at under the microscope and/or tested in other ways.


• Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, cancer, rectal prolapse and severe constipation.


• Removal or repair of diseased parts of the colon or stomach (digestive system)


• Removal or repair of the bladder, ureters, or kidneys (urinary system)


• Removal or repair of women's reproductive organs, such as the uterus or fallopian tubes


• GERD or Anti Reflux Surgery


• Tubal ligation


• Removal of a kidney in a living donor


• Bariatric Surgery


• Repair of a hernia


• To view the liver and pancreas for the presence of cancer tumors


• To view the abdomen for signs of disease that has been difficult to diagnose (exploratory surgery)


• To view a tumor in the abdomen


• To check the source of abdominal pain or remove scar tissue


• To look for the source of internal bleeding or fluid buildup if the patient has a normal blood pressure


• To view injury following trauma or an accident

What are the advantages of laparoscopic surgery?

The smaller incisions cause less damage to body tissue, organs, and muscles so that the patient

• Smaller incision, which reduces pain and shortens recovery time, as well as resulting in less post-operative scarring.


• Recovers quickly.


• Experiences fewer post-operative complications and less pain.


• Reduced hemorrhaging, which reduces the chance of needing a blood transfusion.


• Less pain, leading to less pain medication needed.


• Although procedure times are usually slightly longer, hospital stay is less, and often with a same day discharge which leads to a faster return to everyday living.


• Reduced exposure of internal organs to possible external contaminants thereby reduced risk of acquiring infections.