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 'Going
under the scissors' has always been a fear lived by
practically every human. Whenever we talk about an operation,
the first thing that comes to mind is - "Oh God!
They are going to cut me open…." Well, not
anymore! Reducing the size of incisions has been a dream
of surgeons for thousands of years and with Laparoscopy,
they have been able to achieve just that.
Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure performed through
very small incisions in the abdomen, using specialized
instruments. This type of surgery is also called 'minimally
invasive surgery' or 'keyhole surgery' because of the
very small incisions used. Yet major procedures can
now be performed using this technique. In this procedure,
a pencil-thin instrument called a laparoscope is used.
A laparoscope has lenses like a telescope to magnify
body structures, a powerful light to illuminate them,
and a miniature video camera. The camera sends a magnified
image from inside the body to a video monitor, giving
the surgeon a close-up view of the organs and tissues.
Specialized surgical instruments can be inserted through
the laparoscope, and through small incisions nearby.
These instruments serve as tiny hands within the abdomen
and assist the surgeon. Laparoscopy is used either to
treat the problem (laparoscopic surgery) or to diagnose
it (diagnostic laparoscopy). With laparoscopy, the doctor
can identify diseased organs, take tissue samples for
biopsy, and remove abnormal growths.
Advantages of laparoscopy surgery
Despite small holes, there is no compromise in the
field of vision. Much more of the 'insides' can be seen
than is possible at an open operation. Unlike the 'mini-incision'
operations, here the entire abdomen can be visualised
ensuring no abnormal anatomy or pathology is missed.
In the case of diagnostic laparoscopy, quick information
is gained and the entire procedure can be recorded on
video and further opinion can be taken from other surgeons
in case of a diagnostic dilemma.
Laparoscopy is easier on the patient because it uses
a few very small incisions. For example, traditional
"open surgery" on the abdomen usually requires
a four- to five-inch incision through layers of skin
and muscle. In laparoscopic surgery, the doctor usually
makes two to three incisions that are about a half-inch
long. The smaller incisions cause less damage to body
tissue, organs and muscles. So the advantages of laparoscopy
are:
- Fast recovery
The patients can return to work much faster compared
to the traditional 'open surgeries'. The reason being
that the damage to tissues and muscles is less because
incision made during laparoscopic procedure is very
small.
- Short hospital stay
Depending on the kind of surgery, patients may be
able to return home a few hours after the operation,
or after a brief stay in the hospital.
- Less postoperative pain
The amount of discomfort varies with the kind of surgery.
But the pain is much less compared to the open surgery.
This is because, in laparoscopic surgeries, it is
not required to cut the abdominal muscles. The laparoscopy
surgeons just make tiny incisions for the instrument
to go inside.
- Better cosmetic results
The incisions for laparoscopic surgery are very small.
So they heal without noticeable scars.
- Less chance of hospital acquired infections
The chances of hospital-acquired infections are less.
The reason being that since the incisions are small,
healing rate is higher and so the stay in hospital
is less.
Aastha is a multi-specialty healthcare centre providing
the widest range of services under one roof. But its
major area of excellence lies in minimal invasive procedures,
like laparoscopy. It is a centre which offers advanced
laparoscopic procedures with state-of- art facilities.
Continue below to learn more about our laparoscopic
surgeries.
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