Laparoscopic surgery, also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery, reduces body trauma caused by conventional open surgery, as the incisions are made much smaller. This efficient procedure is performed using advanced laparoscopic equipment that is inserted through 3 – 4 tiny incision-sized cuts. The surgeon will be able to see the enlarged and detailed image of the internal organs by inserting a tool to see through the incisions. After the procedure is completed, the small incisions are stitched, leaving a minimal visible scarring.
Read also: How to Remove Stitches.
Usually, when a patient suffers from a chronic illness that occurs in the body, the doctor will advise to perform open surgery with a wide open incision. However, nowadays it has evolved into one of the new surgical techniques, namely minimally invasive surgical techniques or minimally invasive surgery utilizing advanced technology with minimal incisions until the process becomes a more minimal risk and complications.
The uses of minimally invasive surgery
Laparoscopic surgery can be used for diagnostic purposes and laparoscopic techniques are used in a variety of surgeries and procedures.
- Appendectomy – The surgical removal of your appendix.
- Adrenalectomy – Surgical removal of one or both of your adrenal glands.
- Collecistatomy – Surgery to lift your gall bladder.
- Common bile duct examination (the tract that carries the bile from the liver and the gallbladder to the duodenum) to find out if there is a stone.
- Treatment of burn and acid reflux through surgery to correct the sphincter (the muscles at the bottom of your esophageal).
- Hernia Repair – Treatment of surgical protrusions of organs due to weakened abdominal wall.
- Colon Surgery
- Bowel surgery
- Surgery treatment of morbid obesity (the highest scale of obesity).
- Nephrectomy – Surgical removal of the kidneys.
Read also: Hernia surgery recovery.
Minimally invasive surgery can be performed using robotic surgery where the surgeon controls the robot from a console. A high-definition 3D camera allows for a better view of the surgery area and the flexibility of the robotic hand gives the surgeon greater accuracy and control.
The Advantages of Minimally Invasive Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery offers a number of advantages when compared to open surgical procedures. These advantages include:
- Reduced bleeding, which minimized the possibility of blood transfusions.
- The smaller incisions, in which this means less pain, fewer medications, shorter recovery times and fewer post-operative scarring.
- A shorter hospital stay, often leaving the hospital on the same day. This means that the hospital bills will be reduced and you can sooner return to your daily routine activities.
- Reduced exposure to outside contaminants experienced by the internal organs, thus reducing the risk of infection.
Preparations that patients need to do before undergoing Minimally Invasive Surgery
If you or your closest person is about to perform minimally invasive surgery, then there are some procedures before the surgery that need to be prepared for the smooth and successful surgery, such as the following steps:
- Check health before surgery.
- Do a healthy lifestyle.
- Do fasting before surgery.
- Remove the accessories that are on your body.
- Bring a comfortable dressing suit.
To perform minimally invasive measures, doctors need to assess the advantages and disadvantages. In certain patients, there are certain aspects that should be considered before performing the action. For example to children and pregnant women.
How is surgery performed?
Minimally invasive surgery is performed with a small incision in the abdominal cavity. Then, with the help of the camera will look for problems in the abdominal cavity accurately. Thus, parts of the body that undergo manipulation are minimal and the action will be very focused and accurate.
Generally, the number of incisions required is 3-4 pieces. A small diameter camera called an endoscope will be inserted through the port. This camera provides high-resolution imaging of the condition in the stomach of the patient. Other instruments (the size of a pen diameter) will enter through the port to perform the surgical procedure.
This method is very different from traditional surgical techniques, generally larger incisions. In conventional surgery related to healthy tissues is more injured, postoperative pain is greater and recovery is much longer.
