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What Is Laparoscopic (Key Hole) Surgery? Is It Safe?

Laparoscopy means looking inside someone’s abdomen through a small incision using a special camera (laparoscope). One would be put to sleep (general anesthesia) for this.

What is laparoscopic surgery?

It is a newer and better way of performing surgery. Laparoscope (Camera) is passed after making small incision, Under vision of camera small holes are made
through which special instruments are passed and the operation is carried out in a safe environment while looking at each move on the screen. This is done instead of the traditional method of cutting open the abdomen for the surgery.

You can argue that most of the pain patients would have suffered is transferred to surgeon’s wrist.

What kind of surgeries can be performed laparoscopically?

Any surgery, which is done open, can be done laparoscopically depending on the surgeon’ skills. At times, a surgeon can
suggest patients to have an open surgery if the patient is not fit for laparoscopic surgery or if open surgery has clear benefits.

Some of the surgeries performed are:

  1. General surgical procedures
  2. Appendectomy
  3. Hernia repair
  4. Gallbladder surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy)
  5. Biopsy (omental)
  6. Advanced surgeries
  7. Acid reflux surgery
  8. Weight loss surgery
  9. Colorectal cancer surgery
  10. Splenectomy
  11. Pancreatectomy
  12. Gynaecological procedures:
  13. Endometriosis treatment
  14. Pelvic inflammatory disease treatment
  15. Infertility treatment
  16. Ectopic pregnancy surgery
  17. Sterilization
  18. Ovarian cystectomy
  19. Hysterectomy
  20. Myomectomy

What are the advantages of laparoscopic surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery has clear advantages over open surgery. It has proven safety compared to open surgery. Some of the benefits are:

  1. Much less pain compared to open method
  2. Very short stay compared to open method
  3. Minimal scar compared to open method
  4. Less complications
  5. Early return to work
  6. Less chance of hernia
  7. Less chance of adhesions leading to long-term pain

I am obese (overweight). Can I opt for laparoscopic surgery?

Yes, in fact it is more beneficial for patients who are obese.

I have had open surgery before. Can I have a laparoscopic surgery now?

Yes, people who have had an open surgery can also have a laparoscopic surgery safely, but you would need an expert.

Is Laparoscopic Surgery more costly?

Laparoscopic Surgery can come across as slighly more costlier thank traditional open surgery but cost would be more than compensated as patients stay for much lesser time in the hospital and hence less hospital cost and medicine cost.

Patients also tend to return to work or daily acitivity much quicker than open surgery so slightly high initial more cost is more than compensated.

What is Robotic Surgery? Is it different from Laparoscopic Surgery?

Robotic surgery can be described as advanced version of laparoscopic surgery and when used for advanced procedures certainly has great advantages.

Currently initial cost of ROBOTIC surgery is very high thus making procedures more costlier than laparoscopic surgery.
ROBOTIC surgery has no proven benefits over laparoscopic surgery for common performed procedures.