| Laparoscopic
surgery is performed with the aid of a video camera
placed in the abdomen and a laparoscope, which also
allows doctors to make just one to four small (half-inch)
incisions in the abdomen. This technique allows your
body to heal much faster with significant benefits
over traditional surgeries, including:
-
Less Scarring
- Less
Recovery Time
- Less
Risk of Infection
- Less
Time in the Hospital
How
the Surgery is Performed
The procedure is usually done in the hospital under
general anesthesia. After a small incision is made
above or below the belly button (navel), a tube is
inserted. A tiny video camera (laparoscope) passes
through the tube. Carbon dioxide gas is injected into
the abdomen to lift the abdominal wall, making a larger
space to work in. This allows for easier viewing and
moving of the organs.
With
the laparoscope inserted, the organs of the pelvis
and abdomen are examined. Additional small openings
may be made for instruments that allows the surgeon
to successfully perform the operation.
After
completion of the surgery, the laparoscope is removed,
all openings are sutured closed, and bandages are
applied. Depending on the operation performed, a drain
may be placed to allow unwanted fluid to drain and
not accumulate within the body.
How
the Surgery Will Feel
With general anesthesia, you will feel no pain during
the procedure. However, the sutured incisions may
throb and be slightly painful afterward. Your doctor
will likely prescribe a pain reliever that can be
filled at your local pharmacy. At the time of the
surgery, local anesthesia may be applied to the incision
site to help alleviate this pain.
Some
patients may experience shoulder pain for a few days
after surgery. This pain is caused by the carbon dioxide
gas acting to irritate the muscle at the top of the
abdomen called the diaphram. The carbon dioxide gas
will be absorbed into the blood stream and exhaled
out during normal breathing thus reducing the shoulder
discomfort.
Finally,
you may experience an increased urge to urinate, because
the gas can put pressure on the bladder.
Considerations
Your ability to have laparoscopic surgery may be limited
by previous abdominal surgery. Often surgery makes
scars form, which prevents the safe passage of the
instruments into the abdomen. It may also prevent
the abdominal wall from being properly lifted by the
gas.
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