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It’s normal to feel anxious in the build up to surgery, but surgery has never been safer with the highest success rates currently being achieved by surgeons. This is because procedures are now less invasive. Minimally invasive procedures are now more common than ever thanks to extensive studies and the creation of more advanced technology. Robotics have played a big part in these surgeries being less invasive, as they are far more accurate.
Laparoscopic surgery, also known as keyhole surgery, introduced the use of a new slender tool with a tiny video camera and light attached to it. This minimally invasive surgery utensil is inserted through a small cut to see what’s happening inside your body. The size of these cuts is much smaller than what they would need to be in the past, which will require less recovery as a result.
This guide will outline the benefits of laparoscopic surgery and which types of procedures it can be used for. Continue reading to find out more about this minimally invasive procedure technique.
Where is Laparoscopic Surgery Used?
The abdominal and pelvic areas are where laparoscopic surgery is primarily used. It is known as keyhole surgery due to the incisions being made up of two to four small cuts, that are usually less than half an inch long, in your pelvic or mid area. Flexible tubes will then be inserted into these small incisions along with other small tools and a lighted video camera.
Surgeons may insert other surgical instruments into the opening, as they might need to see all the organs in your belly to locate the issue. However, this will not make the surgery any less invasive, especially when compared to traditional forms of surgery.
Why Laparoscopy is Better than Laparotomy
Pelvic and abdominal surgery used to have to be open surgery called laparotomy, which was far more invasive than the laparoscopic approach. The incisions would be bigger, as they would range from 6 to 12 inches through the abdominal wall, which had far more risks than the surgery of today. These larger incisions gave surgeons a clear view of the body’s organs, but are no longer needed due to the camera that is used in laparoscopy.
The only downfall of laparoscopy is that it can take longer to complete and require specially trained surgeons. However, this is worth it if it means that surgery will be safer for patients and there will be less recovery time post-surgery. Therefore, laparotomy should only be used in emergencies and laparoscopy where more care can be taken.
What Surgeries Use Laparoscopy?
Several types of surgery use laparoscopy to streamline the process and offer patients a less invasive procedure. These surgeries include:
- Adrenal gland removal
- Appendectomy
- Biopsies
- Bladder removal
- Cyst or stone removals
- Gallbladder removal
- Gastric bypass
- Hernia repair
- Kidney removal
- Rectal prolapse repair
- Spleen removal
- Urethral reconstruction
It’s not only used for surgeries but it can also be used for diagnosis reasons. If the results of a CT, MRI or ultrasound aren’t clear, doctors might suggest laparoscopy to get a clearer picture of what’s going on inside your body. Unexplained stomach or pelvic pain can also be sourced through keyhole surgery.
How to Prepare for Laparoscopy
Your surgeon should lay out what you need to ensure that you do in preparation for a laparoscopy. They will ask you a variety of questions regarding your lifestyle, medications and more, as well as take into consideration your age, height and weight. Recommendations will then be made based on this information.
Commonly, you will be advised to avoid certain medications before any type of surgery. These medications include:
- Blood thinners
- Anti-inflammatories
- Herbal or dietary supplements
- Vitamin E
- Other medications that have risks of blood clotting.
You will also be given post-surgery instructions from your doctor on how to fully recover after the operation. Wearing loose-fitting clothing is a common recommendation that doctors make to avoid any irritation to the incision site.
How the Procedure Works
Before you undergo the procedure, you will likely need to take imaging or blood and urine tests to ensure that you are in the right state for it. You’ll have an IV inserted into a vein to help you receive fluids, anesthesia and any required pain medications. The surgeon will insert a tube into your throat to aid with breathing, as it will keep your airways open. Your skin will be cleaned with a disinfectant solution before any incisions are made.
The small cuts will then be made into your abdomen or pelvis and the tubes will be inserted for the necessary equipment. In some cases, there will be a drain also inserted. The surgeon can either place the camera and tool through the same incision or a different one, depending on the situation. If they’re in the same incision, it will result in less scarring.
There is another way to conduct laparoscopy, which involves hand assistance from your surgeon. Incisions will need to be larger for this, but they will still be smaller and the procedure less invasive than laparotomy. This hand assistance laparoscopy has made it easier to complete liver and organ surgeries.
Robotic Laparoscopy
New technology has made the surgical process more efficient and less invasive. A robotic arm will then be used for the instrument and camera insertion, which frees up the surgery to get a better look at the screen to see the patient’s inside organs. With robotic surgery, the quality of the video can be better with 3D and magnified images.
There is less bleeding and impact on the body, as robotic surgery is more accurate and there are fewer errors compared to human-controlled surgery. Most prostate removals now use robots and other types of surgeries have started to implement the usage.
Surgical robotics’ integration with other cutting-edge medical technologies like artificial intelligence will make it even more beneficial in the future. Integrating robotic surgery with real-time data analytics, AI-driven diagnostics and advanced imaging could result in a comprehensive surgical approach that is far more efficient than traditional methods.
Final Thoughts
While laparoscopy is primarily used for abdominal and pelvic procedures, its applications continue to expand as surgeons explore new ways to use this surgical method. Advanced technologies will further enhance the precision and benefits of all types of surgery, such as plastic surgery in London.
As medical research and technology progress, we can expect laparoscopic surgery to play an even more prominent role in the future of healthcare, providing patients with quicker surgeries, improved outcomes and better recovery times.