Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgery that uses a laparoscope (a slender tube with a light and camera) to view internal organs on an external monitor. Since laparoscopic procedures generally provide faster healing, less scarring, and a decreased chance of infection, there are several ways that laparoscopic surgery has become quite common.
Women’s Health
Laparoscopic procedures have been especially useful in obstetrics and gynecology. Although surgical procedures are generally a last effort at healing or diagnosing, the minimally invasive nature of laparoscopy may make such procedures less frightening. According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, endometriosis can not only be diagnosed laparoscopically, but the endometrial tissue in question can also be removed simultaneously.
Hysterectomies, the surgical removal of the uterus, can now be done through such minimally invasive procedures as well. Fibroids, mostly benign but sometimes malignant (cancerous) growths around the uterus, can be diagnosed and removed if necessary as well. It’s also possible to diagnose causes of infertility, treat pelvic floor disorders (such as prolapsed organs), and ectopic pregnancies can be removed.
Organ Removal
Many surgeries that require the removal of an organ have also been made less invasive through laparoscopic surgery. The gallbladder, appendix, spleen, and others can all be removed laparoscopically. Partial colectomy, sometimes necessary for different disorders, including colon cancer and some inflammatory bowel diseases, are even possible. Although minimally invasive procedures still carry the same risks as any surgery as far as bleeding and infection, the chances are less, and complications are generally rare.
Hernias
Both hiatal and inguinal hernias can be fixed through laparoscopic surgery. A hiatal hernia occurs when the hiatus, which connects stomach and esophagus, begins to move upward, causing issues like heartburn. The hiatus is then repaired, hernia removed, returning the stomach to its proper place—all laparoscopically.
An inguinal hernia, according to the Mayo Clinic, occurs when tissue pushes through part of the abdominal muscle, which can lead to serious complications. With laparoscopic tools, the hernia can be fixed with wire mesh. Although the chances of recurrence are often high, an experienced surgeon can minimize this issue.
Additional Procedures
When viewing the abdominal cavity through external screening methods is insufficient, a laparoscopy may be used to check for fluid in the abdomen, to find damage to organs, and to find or remove abdominal growths. Abdominal biopsies are also performed laparoscopically. A small amount of tissue is removed, which can then be assessed for abnormalities, such as cancerous cells.
