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