Everything you need to know about laparoscopic surgery
Laparoscopic surgery, which is also called minimally invasive surgery, is a relatively modern surgical operation through small incisions in the body rather than larger traditional ‘open’ techniques.
The small incisions allow the surgeon to insert instruments including a camera into the abdomen.
The camera transmits an image of the organs inside the abdomen onto a television monitor. In laparoscopy surgery, the video camera becomes the eyes of the surgeon, who uses the images to perform the procedure.
In 1901, George Kelling used this new technique to examine the abdominal cavity of dogs. This event is often quoted as one of the first in this field. Bertram Berheim from Johns Hopkins Hospital was the first in 1911 to perform laparoscopy on humans in the United States.
Many developments followed over the next several decades, however, in 1987, Phillipe Mouret performed the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy — a minimally invasive surgery to remove the gallbladder.
This was the beginning of a steep growth in this form of surgery and today almost all surgeries to remove the gallbladder are performed laparoscopically.
There are significant benefits to the patient deemed suitable for this type of surgical technique, including less discomfort since the incisions to the abdomen are much smaller and recovery time from these techniques are much shorter.
Laparoscopic surgery also means shorter hospital stays as the small incisions allow for an earlier return to full activity.
What you need to know about the laparoscopic surgery
Depending on the type of surgery being performed, you’ll usually be asked to fast for anything from six to 12 hours beforehand — your surgeon will advise you how long.
Like any surgery, if you’re taking blood-thinning medication, such as aspirin or warfarin, you may be asked to stop taking it a few days beforehand to prevent excessive bleeding during the operation.
If you smoke you will be advised to stop during the lead-up to the operation as it can slow healing after surgery and increase the risk of complications such as infection.
Most people can be discharged home from hospital either on the day of the procedure or the following day. Before the procedure, you’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home as you’ll be advised not to drive for at least 24 hours afterwards because of the anaesthetic drugs.
After laparoscopic surgery, like any surgery, you may feel drowsy as you recover from the effects of the anaesthetic.
Some people feel some nausea. These are common side effects of the anaesthetic and should pass quickly. You’ll be monitored in theatre recovery and on the ward for a few hours until you’re fully awake and able to eat, drink and pass urine.
Before you leave hospital, you’ll be told how to keep your wounds clean and when to return for a follow-up appointment.
For a few days after the procedure, you’re likely to feel some pain and discomfort where the incisions were made.
You’ll be given painkilling medication to help ease any discomfort. Some of the gas used to inflate your abdomen to enable surgery can remain inside after the procedure, which can cause bloating, cramps and shoulder pain.
These symptoms are nothing to worry about and should pass after a day or so, once your body has absorbed the remaining gas.
Laparoscopic surgery is not the correct option for everybody, however, your family doctor can refer you to a general surgeon with skills in both open and minimally invasive surgery for consideration of suitability for the procedures.
Mater Private Hospital Cork has a team of general and specialist surgeons who practice laparoscopic techniques including Ms Julliette Buckley, Mr Tahir Khan, Mr Micheal O’Riordain, and Mr Criostoir Ó Suilleabhain.
Email: cork@materprivate.ie
Website: Click here
Phone: 021-6013200
