Signs That You Need To Go For Laparoscopic Surgery

 

Laparoscopy is a low-risk, minimally invasive modern surgical procedure that has a short recovery rate. It is the go-to method used by doctors to ascertain that a patient is doing well if tests and diagnostic results are inconclusive. But who needs a laparoscopy? Well, this post will explore the answer to this particular question! Read on to know more!

 

Laparoscopy, otherwise known as laparoscopic surgery or simply diagnostic laparoscopy, is a modern surgical procedure that is used by doctors to examine the organs inside the abdominal cavity of a patient. The recovery period for this type of surgery is very short. Furthermore, it is minimally invasive as the doctor only needs to make small incisions on the target area of the patient’s abdominal cavity.

 

Laparoscopic surgery is performed after the patient is rendered unconscious using general anesthesia. Most of the time, the patient will be released from the hospital on the same day but in case the surgery is performed to take out gall-bladder stones then the patient might be kept under observation for at least 4 – 5 days.

 

Most of the time, laparoscopy proves to be a beneficial tool for doctors to diagnose the abdominal problems of patients when the issue cannot be revealed via common diagnostic imaging techniques such as – 

• Ultrasound
• CT scan or
• An MRI scan.

 

Laparoscopy is also performed to take a biopsy (a sample of tissue) from a particular organ within the abdominal cavity that the doctor is suspicious about. A doctor will recommend laparoscopy when it comes to close examination of organs within the abdominal cavity like:

• Appendix
• Gallbladder
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Small intestine and large intestine (otherwise known as the colon)
• Spleen
• Stomach
• Pelvic or reproductive organs.

 

By closely observing these organs with a laparoscope (the long and thin instrument that is inserted through the incision(s) made on the abdominal cavity of the patient), a doctor can detect:

• The presence of absence of a mass (or tumor) within the abdominal cavity of the patient.
• The presence or absence of fluid in the abdominal cavity of the patient.
• The telltale signs on the liver that can indicate the onset or progress of liver disease.
• The overall effectiveness of certain treatments administered by the doctor to mitigate certain diseases that affects the organs found within the human abdominal cavity and

The overall progress of certain diseases like cancer that affects organs found within the human abdominal cavity.

Facts About Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopy is a surgery that uses a laparoscope to make smaller cuts. As compared to traditional operations, laparoscopic surgery has several advantages. Since it involves less cutting, the patients have more minor scars; there is less internal scarring, the patient can get back to their normal activities sooner, they heal quickly, patients feel less pain. In contrast, the scars heal, and the patient gets out of the hospital quicker. 

If your doctor has advised you to undergo laparoscopic surgery, here are some facts that you should know about it. 

• Laparoscopy generally addresses conditions like pelvic inflammatory disorders, endometriosis, and ectopic pregnancy, among others. On the other hand, the doctor might suggest laparoscopy to remove patches of endometriosis, appendix, or gallbladder, or detecting cysts, fibroids, and adhesions. Laparoscopy also aids with the biopsy of the internal organs, especially the abdomen. 
• It is an outpatient procedure where you get to go home the same day the surgery is performed. It is one of the reasons why doctors and patients both prefer laparoscopy over any other traditional surgeries. However, in some cases, you may be asked to stay in the hospital overnight to rule out any complications if your condition was worse before the surgery. On the other hand, your hospital stay will also depend on what area you are being operated. For example, if the doctor performs the partial bowel resection, you may be required to stay at the hospital for a couple of days. 
• Laparoscopy can affect your health if you don’t inform your doctor about certain things. If you are trying to conceive or pregnant, tell your doctor about it. If you are taking certain medications like blood thinners, be sure to inform your doctor. The doctor will then plan the surgery accordingly. 
• You will feel a little sore post-surgery around the cuts. Although the pain is minute, if it exceeds, tell your doctor about it. 
• Post-surgery, you will be restricted from performing certain activities like having sexual intercourse, driving, swimming, etc. 

Check with your doctor to know more about it.

How To Recover And Stay Well After Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopy is a surgical diagnostic procedure used to examine the organs inside the abdomen. It is a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure that requires only small incisions. Laparoscopy uses an instrument called a laparoscope to look at the abdominal organs. Laparoscopic surgery is performed in the abdomen or pelvis using small incisions with the aid of a camera. It is a modern surgical technique offering several advantages to the patients as compared to the open procedure. It reduces pain due to smaller incisions, reduces hemorrhaging and recovery time is much shorter. The key element is the use of a laparoscope, a long fiber optic cable system that allows viewing of the affected area by inserting the cable from a more distant, but more easily accessible location. 

After laparoscopic surgery, patients can resume all normal activities within a week. They need to make a follow-up appointment with the doctor about two weeks after laparoscopy. After the surgery, it is recommended that patients begin light physical activity as soon as possible to reduce the risk of blood clots. They must also get adequate rest with sound sleep so that the body can repair and heal faster. 

Laparoscopic surgery is a different experience for everyone based on the patient’s expectations, the extent of surgery, the length of surgery, and how one responds to pain. Laparoscopy is usually done on an outpatient basis, although an overnight stay may be required if the surgery is complex or lengthy. 

For the first two or three days after the laparoscopic surgery, it helps to have a family member or a friend stay close to the patient who can take charge of managing the medications for the first couple of days and arrange meals during that period.