Laparoscopic Surgery: It’s normal to feel anxious in the build-up to surgery, but surgery has never been safer, with the highest success rates currently being achieved by surgeons. This is because procedures are now less invasive. Minimally invasive procedures are now more common than ever, thanks to extensive studies and the creation of more advanced technology. Robotics have played a big part in these surgeries being less invasive, as they are far more accurate.
Laparoscopic or keyhole surgery introduced a new slim device with a tiny video camera and light devoted. This minimally invasive surgery utensil is inserted through a small cut to see what’s happening inside your body. These cuts are much more minor than they would need to be in the past, which will require less recovery.
This guide will outline the benefits of laparoscopic surgery and the types of procedures it can use. Continue reading to find out more about this minimally invasive procedure technique.
Where is Laparoscopic Surgery Used?
The abdominal and pelvic areas are where laparoscopic surgery is primarily used. It is known as keyhole surgery due to the incisions comprising two to four minor cuts that are usually less than half an inch long in your pelvic or mid area. Flexible tubes, small tools, and a lighted video camera will be inserted into these small incisions.
Surgeons may insert other surgical instruments into the opening, as they might need to see all the organs in your belly to locate the issue. However, this will not make the surgery any less invasive, especially compared to traditional forms of surgery.
Why Laparoscopy is Better than Laparotomy
Pelvic and abdominal surgery used to have to be open surgery called laparotomy, which was far more invasive than the laparoscopic approach. The incisions would be more significant, as they would range from 6 to 12 inches through the abdominal wall, which had far more risks than the surgery of today. These larger incisions gave surgeons a clear view of the body’s organs, but they are no longer needed because of the camera used in laparoscopy.
The only downfall of laparoscopy is that it can take longer to complete and require specially trained surgeons. However, this is worth it if surgery is safer for patients and there will be less recovery time post-surgery. Therefore, laparotomy should only be used in emergencies and laparoscopy, where more care can be taken.
What Surgeries Use Laparoscopy?
Several types of surgery use laparoscopy to streamline the process and offer patients a less invasive procedure. These surgeries include:
- Adrenal gland removal
- Appendectomy
- Biopsies
- Bladder removal
- Cyst or stone removals
- Gallbladder removal
- Gastric bypass
- Hernia repair
- Kidney removal
- Rectal prolapse repair
- Spleen removal
- Urethral reconstruction
It’s not only used for surgeries, but it can also be used for diagnosis reasons. If a CT, MRI, or ultrasound results aren’t clear, doctors might suggest laparoscopy to get a clearer picture of what’s happening inside your body. Unexplained stomach or pelvic pain can also be sourced through keyhole surgery.
How to Prepare for Laparoscopy
Your surgeon should lay out what you need to ensure that you do in preparation for a laparoscopy. They will ask you a variety of queries regarding your lifestyle, medications, and more, as well as take into consideration your age, height, and weight. Recommendations will then be made based on this information.
Commonly, you will be advised to avoid certain medications before any surgery. These medications include:
- Blood thinners
- Anti-inflammatories
- Herbal or dietary supplements
- Vitamin E
- Other medications that have risks of blood clotting.
You will also be given post-surgery instructions from your doctor on recovering after the operation. Wear loose-fitting clothing is a typical recommendation doctors make to avoid any irritation to the incision site.
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How the Procedure Works
Before the procedure, you will likely need to take imaging or blood and urine tests to ensure you are in the right state. You’ll have an IV inserted into a vein to help you receive fluids, anaesthesia, and any required pain medications. The surgeon determines to insert a tube into your throat to aid with breathing, as it will keep your airways open. Your skin will be gutted with a disinfectant solution before incisions.
The minor cuts will then be made into your abdomen or pelvis, and the tubes will be inserted for the necessary equipment. In some cases, a drain will also be inserted. Depending on the situation, The surgeon can place the camera and tool through the same incision or a different one. If they’re in the same incision, it will result in less scarring.
There is another way to conduct laparoscopy, which involves hand assistance from your surgeon. Incisions will need to be more significant for this, but they will still be smaller, and the procedure will be less invasive than laparotomy. This hand-assistance laparoscopy has made it easier to complete liver and organ surgeries.
Robotic Laparoscopy
New technology has made the surgical process more efficient and less invasive. A robotic arm will then be used for the instrument and camera insertion, which frees up the surgery to better look at the screen to see the patient’s inside organs. With robotic surgery, the video quality can be better with 3D and magnified images.
There is less bleeding and impact on the body, as robotic surgery is more accurate and has fewer errors than human-controlled surgery. Most prostate removals now use robots, and other types of surgeries have started to implement the usage.
Surgical robotics’ integration with other cutting-edge medical technologies like artificial intelligence will make it even more beneficial in the future. Integrating robotic surgery with real-time data analytics, AI-driven diagnostics, and advanced imaging could result in a comprehensive surgical approach that is far more efficient than traditional methods.
Final Thoughts
While laparoscopy is primarily used for abdominal and pelvic procedures, its applications continue to expand as surgeons explore new ways to use this surgical method. Advanced technologies will further enhance the precision and benefits of all types of surgery, including plastic surgery.
As medical research and technology progress, we can expect laparoscopic surgery to play an even more prominent role in the future of healthcare, providing patients with quicker surgeries, improved outcomes, and better recovery times.