Laparoscopy is a surgical and sometimes diagnostic procedure performed through minimally invasive methods. This is managed by use of a laparoscope, a slender length of tubing with a bright light and a camera on the tip. Rather than opening the entire abdomen to reach an organ, small incisions are made through which the laparoscope is inserted. The image is then displayed on a monitor for the doctor to view. There are many uses for laparoscopy, specifically in the abdomen, and as with any surgical procedure it comes with its own list of risks and benefits.
The Procedure
As with any surgical procedure, anesthesia will be given. A small incision, about one half inch long, is made for the laparoscope, and depending upon the procedure, additional incisions may be made for additional tools. In some cases, the abdomen may be filled with gas to allow for a clearer image. After the medical procedure is finished, the incision or incisions will be closed, and the patient is given a few hours for recuperation.
Many laparoscopic procedures are outpatient, which means you can go home the same day. Others may require remaining in the hospital for observation. Some pain and soreness may last for a few days, but most minimally invasive procedures such as this often come with a much faster recovery time than open procedures. Your doctor will let you know how soon to return to your normal activities and what sorts of things to watch out for, such as excessive pain or infection.
Diagnostic Laparoscopy
A laparoscopy can be used to examine nearly any internal organ, from the liver to the reproductive system, when external viewing, such as ultrasounds, are insufficient. Abdominal masses can not only be discovered, but also biopsied through laparoscopy, through the use of additional tools that extract a small piece of tissue to examine for abnormal cells. It is also possible to detect and sometimes treat endometriosis or other causes of female infertility and pain; to assess liver diseases, organ damage, abdominal fluid, cancer progression, cancer treatment efficaciousness; or to diagnose the cause of suspicious pain.
Surgical Laparoscopy
The types of surgery possible through laparoscopy are varied. It is important to realize that “laparoscopy” is a generalized term for any surgical or diagnostic procedure that uses the minimally invasive laparoscope. The following is an inconclusive list of potential laparoscopic surgical procedures:
- Tubal sterilization (or ligation)
- Fibroid, ovarian cyst, and cancer removal
- Pelvic floor disorder treatment
- Hiatal or inguinal hernia repair
- Cholecystectomy, gallbladder removal
- Hysterectomy, uterus removal
- Appendectomy, appendix removal
- Resectioning, or removing part of the colon
Risks and Benefits of Laparoscopy
The benefits of laparoscopy are largely centered around its minimally invasive nature and small incisions. Healing is faster, which means recovery time in general doesn’t take as long, and hospital stays are shorter. Additionally, there is less scarring and a reduced chance of infection.
Conversely, a laparoscopy can be more time consuming than open surgery. The complications of anesthesia are thus increased because it may be necessary for the patient to stay under longer. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, other risks include “bleeding or hernia...at the incision site, internal bleeding, infection, [or] damage to a blood vessel or [nearby] organ.” However, most sources say it is rare for complications to result. Your doctor can help you to better understand the risks specific to your situation and guide you in making the best choice.
