subject: Laparoscopy – the wonder innovation [print this page] Laparoscopy the wonder innovation Laparoscopy the wonder innovation
Every child wonders how babies come out and how can one get and see inside the stomach? Well, it no longer remains a mystery, as the answer is Laparoscopy. It may sound like a tongue twister but actually it is a medical term for a process and the instrument is called a laparoscope.
The laparoscopic surgery is also known as minimally invasive surgery (MIS), keyhole surgery or band aid surgery. It is a modern surgical technique in which, an instrument like a miniature telescope with a fibre optic system, provides light inside the abdomen. This kind of surgery includes operations in the abdomen and pelvic cavities. Laparoscope allows the surgeon to see the patient's abdomen or pelvis, fallopian tubes, ovaries, uterus, large bowel, appendix, liver and gallbladder.
The procedure is done giving local anesthesia which numbs the particular part to be operated on. A small incision is made below the navel and a needle is inserted to pass carbon dioxide gas in that area. This helps the abdominal wall to move to create a larger space and see the area better. A tube is placed through the cut and a tiny video camera is passed to see the insides of the body. Then the laparoscope is passed to see the pelvis and the abdomen.
A modified version of laparoscopy is the micro laparoscopy in which is a new minimally invasive diagnostic surgical procedure uses telescope and instruments much smaller than the normal ones. Laparoscopy is generally used in treatments like cancer, or a surgery for removing some organ or for the infertility check up.
The laparoscopic techniques have also been used in the field of veterinary medicine. In fact, the first laparoscopy was tried on a dog.
The advantages of laparoscopy to an open surgery are that these include reduced pain due to smaller incisions and hemorrhaging, and shorter recovery time. Less hospital stay with reduced risk of infections due to non-exposure of internal organs to external contaminants is another advantage.
Every side has two coins and hence, the cons should also be looked out for. Laparoscopy has disadvantages like poor depth perception and loss of the surgeon's dexterity. Also the most significant risk is from the trocar to blood vessels or bowel mostly to patients with below average BMI. Sometimes it may result in sustained electrical burns unseen by surgeons. An increased risk of hypothermia and gas in abdominal cavity also leads to the option of open surgery. The CO2 gas is not fully removed during surgery and so it may sometimes result in pain in the shoulders or breathing problem
Though, with all the advantages and disadvantages, Laparoscopy is an innovative option to make surgeries less painful.
