What is Laparoscopy?
The term ‘laparos’ comes from Greek and means abdomen. At first, laparoscopy referred to a way of looking inside the abdomen. However, nowadays, it refers to a minimally invasive surgical procedure, widely used in gynecological and urological surgeries, or others (even outside the abdomen). It gained recognition for gallbladder removal, its initial application in 1987, although less ambitious precedents existed since the 1960s.
Today, thanks to technological advancements, it is possible to access virtually all organs of the human body using devices equipped with a miniature camera at the end that is inserted into the body. This camera transmits high-resolution images to video monitors, and the footage can be recorded for later studies. This procedure is then called videolaparoscopy. Originally used primarily for diagnostics, modern videolaparoscopy now allows for the collection of material for biopsies and performing surgical interventions that were previously only possible through open surgeries.
What does Laparoscopy involve?
Typically, the patient is admitted and undergoes general anesthesia. Depending on the surgery, they may leave the hospital on the same day or a bit later. Laparoscopy involves the doctor making a small incision in the area to be examined or treated. Through this incision, they introduce the laparoscope—a device through which they will visualize and treat the targeted region. The laparoscope is a thin tube with optical fibers, allowing the doctor to visualize internal organs and perform diagnostic or therapeutic interventions. Other small incisions may be necessary to introduce surgical instruments.
The instruments used in videolaparoscopy are identical to those used in traditional surgeries, but more delicate. If the surgery is in the abdomen, a certain amount of gas (carbon dioxide) is introduced into the abdominal cavity to expand it and create a working space for the surgery. This technique has the advantage of being minimally invasive, causing less surgical trauma, reduced intraoperative bleeding, lower postoperative pain, faster post-surgical recovery, and an earlier return to normal activities and work, as well as smaller scars. It reduces the infection rate and the occurrence of postoperative adhesions. It can also be used in other types of surgeries, such as joint operations (arthroscopies), primarily in knee surgeries, for example.
In addition to these, virtually all gynecological surgeries (ovarian cysts, tubal dilation, ovarian torsion, ectopic pregnancy, etc.) and urological surgeries can be performed through laparoscopy. The removal of the uterus, as well as uterine prolapses, cystocele (bladder prolapse or ‘fallen bladder’), or rectocele (rectal prolapse), can also be treated through laparoscopy.
What are the disadvantages and risks of Laparoscopy?
Laparoscopy, like almost any procedure, involves risks, but when performed by an experienced professional, these risks are of very low incidence and highly offset by the advantages of endoscopic surgeries compared to open procedures. The most serious risk is the perforation of organs such as the intestine, stomach, aorta, etc., or the occurrence of abdominal bleeding or peritonitis. Furthermore, it may cause some discomfort due to abdominal distension, and it can lead to vaginal bleeding, respiratory issues, and cardiac arrhythmias.
Patients with heart or respiratory diseases, obesity, diaphragmatic hernia, pelvic inflammatory disease, pregnant individuals, etc., require special attention from the interventionist doctor.
Source: Endopelvic
