Laparoscopic Surgery – Procedure, Surgery and Risk

Let’s face it. Surgeries can be scary. While many ailments can be treated with medications, having surgery becomes unavoidable in some cases. Thankfully, you can opt for some surgical procedures today that require minimum incisions.

One such technique is called laparoscopic surgery, which leaves minor scars in its aftermath. Being minimally invasive, laparoscopic surgery is quickly becoming a popular way to treat a host of medical conditions.

What is Laparoscopic Surgery?

The procedure is also known as keyhole surgery.

The procedure can also be used in a biopsy, hernia repair, liver biopsy, appendectomy, gallbladder removal, hysterectomy and spleen removal. Laparoscopy can effectively check health disorders such as scarred tissues, cysts and endometriosis.

Laparoscopic surgery is also used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in many disorders and conditions. These include blockages, infections, tumours or abnormal growths, unexplained bleeding, etc.

Laparoscopic surgery is a technique commonly used to identify the source of abdominal or pelvic pain. This surgery comes in handy when certain tests fail to offer actionable insights or information for a dependable diagnosis.

A doctor may suggest you undergo laparoscopy to treat problems associated with:

• Gallbladder
• Pancreas
• Spleen
• Reproductive organs
• Pelvic region
• Appendix
• Liver
• Small intestine
• Stomach
• Large intestine
• Ovary
• Fallopian tubes, etc.

Laparoscopic surgery works by using fibre-optic technology, which involves the transmission of light through fibre-optic cables that are thinner than human hair!

How Does Laparoscopic Surgery Work?

It involves using a laparoscope, a long telescope-like instrument that a Physician inserts through an incision in the abdominal wall. You might remain awake during the process. The laparoscope has a high-resolution camera and high-intensity light at its front.  This helps transmit an enlarged image of the internal organs onto a video screen (similar to an ultrasound), allowing the surgeon to view the area of interest.

Several small incisions also enable the doctor to insert different surgical instruments into the abdomen. These may include: grasping instruments for lifting tissue and pushing it aside, scissors for cutting, cauterising tools for sealing blood vessels, injectors for filling body cavities with fluid or gas, and so on.

The surgeon makes a tiny cut near the belly button, known as an umbilical incision. Typically, Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas is pumped into the abdominal cavity through this tiny opening to inflate it. This makes the internal organs easier to see and work on.

The surgeon will then remove a possible tumour or correct other problems using these instruments under visual guidance. A surgeon can carry out the entire procedure using just these small incisions. This results in less postoperative pain and faster recovery times than more traditional surgery.

Tests to be Done Before Laparoscopic Surgery

Your doctor may recommend specific tests before you have laparoscopic surgery. This helps the medical team to diagnose the root cause of a problem. It also allows them to offer you a much more effective, personalised treatment.

Your healthcare provider may ask you for previous test reports, such as X-rays, pathology reports, film reports, etc., from another facility.

In addition to complete medical history, these tests may include:

• Blood tests: These tests evaluate how well specific organs function and check your blood cell counts.
• Physical Exam: The surgeon will examine your abdomen to determine the cause of your symptoms.
• X-ray tests: An X-ray test can help identify possible sources of pain or other problems in the abdomen.
• Urine tests: By analysing a sample of urine, laboratory personnel can detect and recognise many different disorders that may be affecting the body’s metabolism or organs.
• Ultrasound exam: An ultrasound exam involves the usage of high-frequency sound waves to produce images of structures within the body on a monitor. Ultrasound exams are performed using a wand-like probe called a transducer that is pressed against the skin over the abdomen or placed inside the vagina (transvaginal). During a laparoscopy, an ultrasound probe can be inserted through one of the incisions into your abdomen to help guide the surgeon during surgery.
• CT scan (CAT scan): A Computer Tomography scan combines many X-ray images with the aid of a computer to generate cross-sectional views of your body and detailed images of your internal organs and structures.
• MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging): This non-invasive procedure uses a magnetic field and radio waves to take detailed pictures of your tissues and organs.
• Other Tests: Some people may need other tests prior to surgery (e.g., colonoscopy, upper endoscopy, or biopsy).

The Procedure of Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is generally performed in a hospital. However, you must visit a well-equipped facility for the best outcomes. The procedure typically comprises the following steps:

• You’ll be asked to change into a hospital gown when you reach the hospital.
• You’ll be given a surgical mask and lie down on an operating table. You may also need to wear earplugs during the operation as some noises can be loud.
• A lot of laparoscopic surgeries are performed while you are under general anaesthesia. This makes you unconscious, preventing the feeling of pain. A distinctively trained doctor, called an anesthesiologist, will give you this medicine through an intravenous (IV) line or by inhaling gases from a mask.
• If you don’t want to be entirely put to sleep, you can request a sedative. This will numb that particular area.
• Once the anaesthesia drug has taken effect, your surgeon will make a small incision just below your belly button or near that area.
• A thin tube with a camera attached, i.e. the laparoscope, will then be inserted through the incision.
• More small cuts will be made to enable the visibility of your internal organs. Typically, each cut is not longer than half an inch, hence the name keyhole surgery.
• A type of gas (usually CO2) will be introduced into your abdomen, expanding the area and making it more straightforward for the surgeon to see inside your body.
• After viewing your internal organs on a computer screen, the surgeon will move around the area and use surgical tools, including a probe and long thin scissors, to remove or repair any damaged or abnormal parts.
• After the surgical process, the gas is let loose from your abdominal area. Then, the surgeon stitches the cuts and applies a dressing.
• Once all of the necessary work is finished, you will move to a recovery room, where you may feel sleepy and nauseous for several hours. Additionally, your abdomen might feel a bit sore.

What Are The Risks Involved In Laparoscopic Surgery?

Laparoscopic surgeries are quite safe and extremely common worldwide. Nonetheless, there is a slight possibility of minor problems, as with any operation.

These may include infection, minor bleeding, mild pain and discomfort. You may also feel nauseous or sick.

Occurring in just one out of every 1,000 cases, serious risks and complications are exceedingly rare in laparoscopic surgeries. These may include damage to an artery or an organ like the bladder or bowel. Some patients might feel the aftereffects of anaesthesia due to an allergic reaction.

More severe problems may include inflammation of the abdominal wall, a blood clot entering the bloodstream and gas bubbles entering veins. Further surgery often becomes essential for treating such conditions. However, as said before, these complications are highly uncommon.

Advantages of Laparoscopic Surgery

The benefits of laparoscopic surgery far outweigh its risks. Since keyhole surgery consists of fewer slits and cuts, it has several benefits compared to traditional surgical methods. Some of these advantages include:

• Shorter stay at the hospital, i.e. quicker discharge
• Lower chances of internal scarring
• Smaller, less stubborn scars
• Faster recovery
• Reduced haemorrhaging
• Fewer transfusions
• Less pain during the healing process
• Less blood loss
• Reduced risk of complications
• Decreased postoperative pain
• Better results as compared to conventional open surgery
• Minimal tissue damage
• Better visualisation for surgeons
• Small incisions that typically do not need stitches
• Reduced risk of infection

Best Facilities for Laparoscopic Surgery at Amandeep Group of Hospitals

As you have seen, laparoscopic surgery can prove helpful in a broad spectrum of problems like Appendicitis, Endometriosis, Hernia, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and many more. First, however, it is crucial to choose a trusted laparoscopic surgeon and healthcare provider that can offer you the proper treatment.

Amandeep Hospital’s ‘Department of General & Laparoscopic Surgery’ provides world-class services to its patients. The hospital has a dedicated facility for diagnosis and treatment for surgeries comprising skin, soft tissues, abdomen, breast, etc. With highly experienced doctors and medical staff, you can rest assured about getting the best-in-class treatment.

So, if you are struggling with a condition or looking for the best laparoscopic surgeons in Amritsar, visit Amandeep Hospital or book an appointment today!