Q. What is laparoscopy?
A. Laparoscopy is an operation done to look inside your abdomen with a thin instrument called a laparoscope (telescope). Through small holes in your tummy, the doctor looks, examines and operates (if needed) without making large cuts.
Q. What are the advantages of a laparoscopic surgery?
A. In conventional surgery a long incision is made to gain entry into the abdominal cavity and operate. This result in increased post-operative pain, longer stay in hospital, delayed recovery, long and ugly scars, higher chance of wound infection and a higher chance of hernia. The incidence of all these are considerably reduced by a laparoscopic surgery.
Q. Is laparoscopy surgery expensive?
A. Cost of laparoscopic surgery is no higher than open surgery as a slightly increased cost of instruments is offset by reduced hospital stay and early return to work. From the patient point of view it results in less pain and less hospital stay while for the hospital it can produce a faster turnover of patients.
Q. Is laparoscopy a ‘complete’ surgery?
Contrary to some myths, whatever surgery planned to be done by a laparoscopy procedure, is completed by a laparoscopy operation. This may be removal of tumors or the entire uterus. Nothing is left behind and a repeat operation by the conventional route is almost never needed.
Q. Is laparoscopy a ‘risky’ surgery?
A. Laparoscopic Surgery is no more risky than conventional open surgery. In fact all the research has shown that it has less complications compared to open surgery. There is a small risk of general anaesthesia, infection, bleeding, injury to internal organs. These risks are uncommon, may also occur with open surgery and need to be discussed with your doctor in further details.
Q. How do I choose between laparoscopy and the conventional approach?
A. Laparoscopy is a commonly performed and is a generally safe procedure. For most people, the benefits in terms of improved symptoms, or from having a clear diagnosis of a problem, are greater than the disadvantages. However the decision would be taken depending on the disease, the doctor and the setup in which the surgery is being performed.
Q. Could a laparoscopy be converted to an open surgery?
A. Occasionally (<5% cases) a laparoscopy operation may need to be converted into an open or conventional one. It may be done due to decrease risk, unanticipated difficulties or complications encountered during the course of the operation.
Q. What operations in gynecology may be done with a laparoscope?
A. Laparoscopy may be used to investigate causes of gynecological pain or to assess infertility. Sterilization is one of the commonest operations done using a laparoscope. Removal of cysts, ectopic pregnancy, tumors and the uterus may be done by a laparoscopy. In advanced centers more extensive laparoscopy surgeries may be performed.
Q. What tests need to be done before a laparoscopy operation?
A. Any preparations depend on the reason for the procedure. For planned operations, you will have a few blood tests, an ECG and chest x-ray to make sure it is safe for you to have an anesthetic. These should reveal potential problems that may complicate the surgery if not detected and treated early.
Q. How exactly is the laparoscopy operation done?
A. A laparoscopy involves one or more cuts approximately 5-10mm in length. The first cut is made around the navel and a hollow needle is inserted through which carbon dioxide gas is used to distend the abdomen. This makes it easier to insert the laparoscope and examine the internal organs. If the surgeon needs to operate or take samples, additional small cuts are made for specially designed long, thin instruments. The operation is done on visualizing internal organs on a TV monitor. At the end of the procedure, the instruments are removed, the carbon dioxide gas is allowed to escape and the cuts are closed with stitches.
Q. How long does it take for a laparoscopy operation?
A. The duration of the operation depends on the type of operation attempted and the disease inside the abdomen. It varies from 30 minutes for simple procedures to several hours for more complicated operations.
Q. What is to be expected after a laparoscopy surgery?
A. There may be some discomfort in the abdomen for a day or two after laparoscopy due to the presence of some carbon dioxide gas. If the surgery is uneventful, feeding can be started on the same day once the patient has recovered completely from the effects of anesthesia. Before you go home you will be given advice about caring for the surgical wounds and when you will need to come back for a follow-up appointment or to have stitches removed. Complete recovery may take longer if any surgery has been carried out. It is important to follow the advice of your surgeon about physical activity, rest and returning to work.
Q. How long do I need to stay in the hospital after a laparoscopy operation?
A. Following a relatively minor laparoscopic procedure like sterilization, diagnostic laparoscopy, lap and dye test women can be discharged on the same day but for more advanced procedures three to four days in hospital would be the norm.
Q. When can I get back to work after a laparoscopic surgery?
A. Usually rest for a week from the day of surgery should suffice in most cases. But it would be advisable for the surgeon to advice you based on your progress. Rest does not mean absolute bed rest but taking things a little easy while involving oneself in daily household activities.
Q. Where can I get a laparoscopy operation done?
A. It has become very common operation nowadays and is being done in almost every reputed hospital with minimal complication rates.
Q. What does a laparoscopy surgery for infertility consist of?
A. A laparoscopy for infertility usually consists of inspecting the reproductive organs and checking for any disease, which could explain the infertility. Usually immediate correction is attempted. A dye test may be done to check for the patency of the fallopian tubes. Often a hysteroscopy is also done concomitantly to assess the uterine cavity.
Q. How are large tumors or the uterus removed by a laparoscope?
A. The uterus may be removed through the vaginal passage. Alternately they may be cut into small pieces or sliced into long strips of tissue and removed from the abdomen incisions.
Q. What are the warning signs, which may be seen following discharge after a laparoscopy operation?
A. Fever and chills could indicate infection. Incision site changes like swelling, bleeding or discharge may be seen. Abdomen distension and bloating needs urgent evaluation. Headaches, muscle aches or feeling dizzy. Difficulty urinating and frequency of urination. |
