Technology is changing the
healthcare landscape in this 21st century. One such implication of
technological evolution in medical innovations is the laparoscopy. The use of
this technology lies as the popular treatment and diagnostic tool.
Laparoscopy is a type of operative procedure that uses a tool
called a ‘Laparoscope’
It is a long thin tube mounted
with a high-resolution camera that helps the doctor to examine the internal
organs especially the abdomen and the pelvis. The camera inserted via an
incision over the abdomen. The camera is connected to a TV monitor which helps
the doctor visualize the inside environment.
The purpose:
Laparoscopy is highly
recommended to diagnose the abdominal or pelvic conditions. It is usually an addition
to MRI, CT or ultrasound scans wherein they are unable to provide enough information
or insight for a diagnosis of the patient. It is also used to take biopsy
samples from a particular tissue of the abdomen. Moreover, it can be used for
removal of damaged tissues, cysts, fibroids as well. There are diversified
functions of laparoscopy these days like the viewing of the scar, or removal of
a tumor, witnessing the repair of a hernia or to find out the source of pelvic
pain. It also plays a critical role in the staging and treatment of a variety
of cancers.
Procedure-
The decision to perform this
procedure needs to be guided on the basis of consultation between the doctor
and patient with the consent of the latter.
Before starting the procedure,
food and drink are restricted for eight hours before the surgery.
The process involves the following steps:
- The procedure is systematically done under anesthesia to ensure no
experience of pain. Anesthesia will put you to sleep and thus you will not
feel the pain.
- The incision is made on the abdomen, which is 0.5 to 1 cm wide
only. A tube called cannula is inserted in the cut and through this tube,
the carbon dioxide is injected to expand abdomen, providing the doctor
more space to view the organs.
- The laparoscope is inserted through this cannula and images are
displayed on the screen.
- Depending on the demand of surgery and procedures that need to be
performed more incisions can be made.
- After the surgery, the gas is released and the cannula is removed.
The incisions are closed with tape or stitches or staples.
These are some of the risks-
Laparoscopy is a relatively
safe procedure, with very few and rare complications. Research has shown that
the risks associated are 1 % only. The most common complications are pain in
the abdominal incision region, swelling or redness at incisions, non-closure of
the incision. Difficulty in breathing and cough are noted following general
anesthesia. The rare complications are bowel injury and vascular injury. It is
seen that Laparoscopic surgery on people who are obese can be difficult.
A laparoscopic is based on the
minimal invasion technique and hence the results are extremely good. Short
recovery is thus one of the added advantages. Do not be afraid to take the best
course for good health and well-being.
