Laparoscopy is just one of the many new and innovative approaches in a new era of surgery encompassing minimal intervention. Simply put, many complicated problems required large incisions to gain access to a very focal area. Minimally invasive surgery gains access to that same area without a large incision. Laparoscopic surgery refers to procedures in minimally invasive surgery isolated to the abdomen.

Laparoscopic surgery requires only small puncture holes for insertion of various operating instruments.

Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery:

A few of the benefits are:

1. reduced bleeding
2. smaller incisions
3. faster healing
4. reduced pain and scarring

Laparoscopic surgery takes more time than the traditional open surgery, but the benefits are undeniable. Recovery time can be reduced from several weeks to several days.

Laparoscopy Techniques:

The concept of laparoscopic surgery is relatively simple. Imagine the abdomen as a sack or balloon containing the various abdominal organs. Once the patient is asleep, a small needle is placed through the abdominal wall, and gas is inflated to give the surgeons some “working room.” Three or four more small puncture holes are made for insertion of various operating instruments including retractors, graspers, scissors, and dissecting tools. One of the instruments contains a small video camera which projects images of the abdominal cavity onto large video monitors, allowing doctors to get very good magnified views of the abdominal organs. Upon completion of the desired procedure, the instruments are removed and the abdomen “deflated”. The small holes are closed with minimal scarring.

Laparoscopy involves no cutting incisions, which are what hurt after standard open surgery. Laparoscopy has a number of other advantages. Because there is minimal manipulation of the abdominal contents, there is minimal formation of scar tissue. Also, minimal manipulation of the bowel results in rapid return of bowel function. In large operations, the bowel commonly becomes paralyzed for several days post-operatively. This is rarely seen after laparoscopic surgery.

Laparoscopy In Gastrointestinal Surgery-

1. Oesophagus
2. Stomach
3. Biliary system
4. Gall bladder stone
5. Bile duct obstruction(stone/stricture)
6. Small Intestinal diseases
7. Appendicitis
8. Intestinal obstruction
9. Cancer
10. Large intestine (Colon,Rectum & Anal canal) Diseases
11. Ulcerative colitis
12. Crohn’s disease
13. Diverticulitis
14. Colorectal cancer
15. Familial polyposis
16. Rectal prolapse
17. Hernia
18. Hiatal hernia
19. Abdominal wall hernia
20. Inguinal hernia
21. Incisional hernia

Recovery:

After surgery, you may steadily resume daily activities after a few days. Walking is an essential necessity for faster recovery. In a matter of weeks, you will be fit to perform mild exercises to regain strength. Lifting heavy objects, however, is not advisable as it may cause back problems or cause the stitches to tear loose.