Is Laparoscopy a Major or Minor Surgery?

The word “surgery” conjures up images of large incisions, long hospital stays, and painful recoveries in the minds of many people today. Thanks to technological advances in medicine, this perception has changed greatly over the years. Many patients choose laparoscopic surgery in Chennai for a number of reasons; one reason is that it is less invasive than traditional methods and may be performed with greater accuracy. Patients also often wonder whether laparoscopic surgery should be classified as “major” or “minor”.

The answer to this question is not as clear cut as one might think. It really depends on what type of condition is being treated, how complicated the procedure will be, and the overall health of the patient.

Understanding What Laparoscopy Really Is

With Laparoscopic Surgery, the Surgeon can perform a much less invasive Surgical Procedure because the Surgery is performed through Small Incisions and by the use of a Specially Designed Thin Video Camera and Instruments. The Surgeon does not make a Large Incision in the Abdominal Area; however, the Internal Organs are displayed on a High Definition TV and the Surgeon controls the operation with great accuracy.

Surgeons use this method of Laparoscopic Surgery to minimize damage to Other Organs and/or Tissues in order to provide the most efficient Therapeutic Results possible.

Is Laparoscopy Minor Surgery?

Laparoscopic procedures are frequently referred to as minor surgeries due to the way it is conducted, however, this term should not imply that they can be considered easy or trivial. Laparoscopic surgery is classified as a minor surgical procedure when

• it is performed for diagnostic purposes, ‘
• only takes a few minutes to perform
• involves only small amounts of bodily tissue being removed
• allows for very fast recovery times and very low rates of complications

Examples may include gallbladder removal, treatment of mild gynecological disorders or diagnostic laparoscopy. The result of these procedures typically results in decreased amounts of pain experienced by the patient, smaller incision scars and shorter durations in the hospital.

When Can Laparoscopy Be a Major Surgery?

Laparoscopy may be considered major surgery in a few circumstances, even though small incisions are made. 

Some examples include:

• The operations involve complex organs.
• The procedures can take several hours to perform.
• Some of the procedures involve extensive internal reconstruction or removal of tissue.

Examples of procedures that would be considered major surgery using the technique are for more complicated endometriosis, colorectal diseases, or cancers.

Even though the technique involves making less invasive surgical incisions, all surgical planning and expertise required for laparos-copy procedures involves much greater effort.

Why Recovery Is Easier Compared to Open Surgery

Among all the advantages offered by laparoscopy, the most significant is its relatively fast recovery. Patients can typically expect: 

• Significantly Less Pain Following Surgery
• Quicker Return to Normal Daily Activities
• Reduced Risk of Developing an Infection
• Very Little Scarring After Surgery

These advantages make laparoscopic surgery appropriate, even for those procedures considered major surgery by a physician.

What Patients Should Focus On

Instead of being overly concerned with terms like “Major” vs. “Minor”, what really matters to patients is how well their surgeon can perform their surgery and the overall safety of the patient through the surgical procedure. All surgeries contain some risk, but the level of success depends greatly on the skills of the surgeon performing the surgical procedure.

So is laparoscopic surgery Major Surgery or Minor Surgery? The answer falls in between. While laparoscopy is a Minimally Invasive Procedure, the level of complexity depends on the medical diagnosis being treated. At Sugam Hospital, we utilize Proven Advanced Surgical Protocols, have Experienced Specialists, and will provide Patient-Centered Care for every surgical procedure we perform. Sugam Hospital has been awarded best laparoscopy hospital in Chennai, and we are dedicated to ensuring that each laparoscopic surgery is conducted with optimal conditions to ensure the safety and long-term health of patients.