Laparoscopic Surgery - The Procedure, Benefits & Recovery

Surgery is one of the fastest evolving fields of medicine. When other forms of treatment are not effective or viable, surgery is often the best alternative. Surgery has changed humankind and has allowed people to live longer and healthier lives. However, surgery is also an invasion of the body which causes trauma. Surgery can result in an inflammatory immune reaction to the trauma. Within limits, such reactions are desirable as they are signs of a healthy reaction and the beginning of recovery from the surgical trauma. However, these reactions can also seriously hinder the pace and extent of recovery.

What Is Laparoscopic Surgery?

In traditional surgery, the surgeon makes an incision in order to access the organs, muscles, nerves, etc. that require treatment or repair. This incision is often large so as to create enough space for the surgeon to work. Obviously, besides the recovery from the surgical procedure, the trauma of the incision will also need its own recovery period. This can in some cases be long and quite difficult for the patient.

In the case of laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon uses special equipment to create one or more small incisions through which are inserted a miniature video camera and special small surgical tools. The camera enables a real-time view of the area to be operated on and the tools are used to conduct the surgery. The results are the same as with traditional surgery, but the small incisions mean that the time taken to recuperate and the chances of infection of the wound are reduced. Laparoscopic surgery is also known as minimally invasive surgery or keyhole surgery.

What You Need to Know About Laparoscopic Surgery

The Laparoscope: Laparoscopic surgery gets its name because it involves the use of a laparoscope which is a slender tool that has a miniature video camera at its end. This gives the surgeon as clear a vision of the surgical area as he would have had when viewing it through a larger open incision. The camera enables the use of miniature surgical tools that are inserted into the body.
Laparoscopic Surgery Is as Effective as Traditional Open Surgery: Since laparoscopic procedures were first developed in the 1970s, countless surgeries of this type have been performed. History and extensive research show that laparoscopic surgeries are as effective are open surgeries.
Less Prominent Scars: For many patients, the smaller size of the surgical scar is a big benefit. For example, in the case of abdominal surgery, open surgery requires an incision of around 15 centimeters in length in the middle of the abdomen. With a laparoscopic procedure, a few small incisions that normally do not exceed 1 centimeter are made. These not only heal faster, but the visible scarring is much less obvious.
Reduced Risk of Infection: Because the surgical incision is smaller, there is less chance of bacterial infection developing or of the accidental reopening of the wounds.

Recovery

There are 2 aspects to recovery from surgery. The first is that of the recovery from the surgical procedure itself. The affected part(s) of the body needs to heal which may take time. The other aspect is the recovery from the trauma caused by the often large incisions that have to be made. In the case of laparoscopic surgery, these are much smaller than with traditional surgery, so the recovery is shorter. This means that the post-surgery stay in the hospital is usually shorter and once you return home, the progress towards return to normal activities is more rapid. This is beneficial for both the patient and the caregivers who are under less stress and can look forward to a quicker return to normal life.

The reduced recovery time offers some economic benefits too. The shorter hospital stay typically reduces the overall cost of the procedure. Post-surgery, there is often a shorter period during which medication is prescribed so the medication costs may come down. So too does the need for fresh dressings and bandages.

While laparoscopic procedures are often used in abdominal surgery, new applications for this type of surgery are opening with increasing regularity. It is important to note that not all surgeries can be minimally invasive. If you have been diagnosed with a medical condition that requires surgery, the best choice is to go to a leading multispecialty hospital. This is where the best specialists and surgeons in various fields of medicine will be available to perform the most advanced surgical procedures. Be it a laparoscopic procedure or a traditional surgery, at a multispecialty hospital, the right treatment options will be available to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is laparoscopic surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses small incisions, a camera, and special tools to perform surgery with less trauma and faster recovery.

What are the benefits of laparoscopic surgery?

It offers smaller scars, reduced risk of infection, quicker recovery time, and shorter hospital stays compared to open surgery.

Is laparoscopic surgery as effective as traditional open surgery?

Yes, laparoscopic surgery is just as effective and is widely used in various procedures with proven results.

How long does it take to recover from laparoscopic surgery?

Recovery is typically quicker than open surgery. Many patients return to normal activities within a few days to a week.

Are there any risks with laparoscopic surgery?

Like any surgery, there are minor risks, but they are significantly reduced due to the small incisions and minimal tissue damage.

Can all surgeries be performed laparoscopically?

No, not all. The suitability depends on the condition and the patient. A specialist will determine the best surgical option.

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Laparoscopic Surgery – The Procedure, the Benefits and the Recovery

What Is Laparoscopic Surgery?

What You Need to Know About Laparoscopic Surgery

Also Read: Laparoscopic Surgery – What You Need to Know

Recovery

Frequently Asked Questions

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