Laparoscopy is a modern surgical method for treating serious diseases of the abdominal organs. It has significant differences compared to traditional surgery, i.e., open surgical intervention. In laparoscopy, instead of making large incisions, only small holes are used, through which thin tools pass that allow the operation to be performed.
With laparoscopy, patients can have the surgery that is necessary for their treatment, minimizing risks and discomfort with a better aesthetic result. For this reason, it is also called minimally invasive surgery. Laparoscopy is performed exclusively by doctors with specialization and experience in it.
How exactly is laparoscopy performed?
Anesthesia: Before the start of the surgical intervention, the patient undergoes general anesthesia to ensure that they will not feel any pain at all.
Incisions: Usually 3-4 small incisions are made in the abdomen through which the laparoscopic tools will be inserted. These incisions usually have a size between 0.5-1 cm.
Laparoscope: The laparoscope is a long, thin instrument with a camera and light at its tip. This camera is inserted through one of the incisions, allowing the surgeon to see the organs inside the abdomen on a screen, magnified and with excellent image quality.
Additional tools: Through the other incisions, special tools such as forceps and scissors are used to perform the operation. These tools are also thin and have long handles, allowing us to perform the procedure with precision and control.
The tools used in laparoscopic surgeries are specially designed to minimize the size of the incisions and allow the surgeon to perform delicate maneuvers with greater accuracy. With the use of these tools, laparoscopic surgery has become the preferred choice for many patients, as it results in less pain, scars, and faster recovery time, compared to traditional open surgery.
Laparoscopy: A Modern Tool for Diagnosing and Treating Gynecological Conditions
Specifically, in gynecology, laparoscopy is used both as a diagnostic tool (diagnostic laparoscopy) when further investigation of conditions or symptoms is needed, and therapeutically. Thus, laparoscopy is used in cases that may be related to:
- Ovarian cysts
- Treatment of endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Uterine cancer
- Female infertility
- Unexplained abdominal pain
- Removal of the uterus or hysterectomy
What are the benefits of laparoscopy?
Laparoscopy has many benefits, especially when compared to open surgery:
- Smaller incisions result in fewer days of hospitalization and faster recovery
- Reduced pain
- Less blood loss
- Reduced chances of complications or infections
- Patients return to work and daily activities faster
When will I be discharged if I undergo a laparoscopy?
Every surgery is different for each patient. Generally, in simple procedures like laparoscopic removal of the fallopian tubes or removal of a simple ovarian cyst, the patient may be discharged within a few hours. For more serious surgeries, 1 or 2 days may be required.
How will we help you?
We may recommend laparoscopy in cases where:
- During the investigation of symptoms you have or conditions you may suffer from, laparoscopy is needed for a more accurate diagnosis
- Our treatment plan for your condition requires intervention through laparoscopy to improve your symptoms
In any case, we will provide you with information about the entire laparoscopy process step-by-step, from preparation, and what to expect during the procedure, to recovery, and we will answer all your questions before and after the surgery.
If you have been recommended open surgery, it is important to visit us to get informed and receive accurate information on whether your surgery can be done through laparoscopy.
Remember that choosing the right specialist and being informed about the process is key to achieving the best possible result in a laparoscopic procedure.