Laparoscopy 101: A Beginner’s Guide from Your Surgeon

It is normal to be a bit nervous or curious if your doctor suggests a laparoscopy. However, this minimally invasive method has changed the way a large number of surgeries are done nowadays. 

With this guide, you will understand what a laparoscopy is, the cases in which it is used, the procedure, what you can expect from the recovery, the risks and how to select the best surgical team. If you are going to have a cholecystectomy, a diagnostic laparoscopy for abdominal pain, or any other internal problem, knowing gives you less anxiety and gives you more confidence.

What Is Laparoscopy and Why It Matters

Laparoscopy or minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a technique that the surgeon conducts through several small incisions instead of a large one. A thin tube called a laparoscope, which has a tiny camera and a light, is placed into the part of the body (abdomen or pelvis) and the pictures are shown on the screen to the surgeon to help them to operate.

As laparoscopy is less traumatic to the tissues, it is accompanied by less pain, lower infection risk, fewer scars and shorter stays in the hospital as compared to the open method.

Usually, surgeons make 1-4 small incisions (around 0.5-1 cm each) through which they put the camera and the instruments to carry out the operations or to investigate and diagnose the condition of the internal organs.

So, laparoscopic surgery is a way for surgeons to operate “inside” you with the help of instruments rather than making big cuts, hence it is safer and recovery is faster.

When Is Laparoscopy Recommended?

Laparoscopy is a less invasive technique and is used both diagnostically and therapeutically in a wide range of conditions:

• As a diagnostic tool: If other investigations (like imaging or blood tests) fail to provide an explanation for the symptoms, laparoscopy may help to visualize the internal organs directly and take a biopsy.
• As a treatment tool: The majority of operations that used to be done by a traditional open method can now be done laparoscopically, for example, gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy), appendectomy, hernia repair and some gynecological surgeries ( like fibroid removal, ovarian cystectomy).
• Minimally invasive benefit: Usually, when a health problem can be solved by either an open or a laparoscopic operation, surgeons will opt for laparoscopy due to its quicker recovery and fewer complications.
• Restrictions: Not every situation is appropriate. Heavily scarred areas, extremely advanced disease or some anatomical features may result in the necessity of an open operation. Your surgeon will make the decision about which method is the safest.

How the Procedure Works: Step by Step

Essentially, here’s what is going on in the laparoscopy:

Anesthesia & Preparation: The patient is put under general anesthesia. The abdominal area is cleaned and dressing is done with sterile drapes.

Access & Insufflation: A small incision is made (most of the time around the navel) and carbon dioxide gas is used to blow up the abdomen, thus giving the surgeon space to see and work.

Inserting the Laparoscope and Instruments: Apart from the camera, one or more small trocars for surgical instruments are inserted into the patient’s body. The surgeon sees the internal organs on a monitor while they operate.

Performing the Task: The surgeon, with the help of the instruments, removes the tissue, repairs the structure or takes the biopsy, directly seeing the process.

Closure and Recovery: The gas used for inflation is let out through the tubes, instruments are removed and the incisions are closed with either small staples, adhesive or sutured. Usually, the patient is transferred to the recovery room.

The time for laparoscopy is from 30 minutes up to several hours depending on the intricacy of the case.

What to Expect Before, During & After Surgery

Before surgery: Adhere to the fasting guidelines (usually no eating or drinking after midnight), discontinue certain medications and make a transport arrangement for going home.

During surgery: The operation area is anesthetized, but inserting gas may put a little pressure on your breathing muscle, thus, sometimes after the surgery mild shoulder pain can be felt.

After surgery: Some belly distension or gas can be caused by the surgical area, slight pain can be felt around the incisions and the return to normal activities will be gradual. Many patients are able to do light movement within a day or two.

Recovery time: Generally, people are discharged from the hospital within 1–3 days (or sometimes on the same day) and the complete recovery is usually within 1–2 weeks, which is dependent on the complexity of the procedure.

The surgeon will provide you with personalized instructions regarding diet, activity, wound care, and follow-up.

Risks, Challenges & When Conversion Happens

While laparoscopic surgery is safer than an open surgery, it still has some risks:

• Bleeding
• Damage to the organs around (intestines, urinary bladder, blood vessels)
• Protrusion at the places of cuts
• Inflammation
• Problems caused by anesthesia

Additionally, there is a chance that the procedure might be changed to an open surgery if the surgeon cannot see well, if there are complications, or if the unexpected nature of the anatomy. Surgeons always prioritize safety above all other considerations.

Tips to Prepare & Support Recovery

• Make sure to inform the doctor about your complete medical history (mentioning all the medications, surgeries and allergies) that you have/had.
• It would be better if you quit smoking a long time before the surgery, your body will heal faster then.
• Eat well and meet all your nutritional needs so that your body will have the strength to heal.
• It is very important to obey the post-operative directives normally, in case of a wound, take care of it, physical exercise should be avoided and you should still go to the doctor’s appointments.
• Keep moving (up to the rules): Light walking is good for the blood flow and it also makes the chances of getting blood clots very low.

Laparoscopy has changed the way surgical procedures are done in a very significant way. It is a less invasive method which is also more precise, the patient gets a quicker recovery and there are fewer complications. For those who are new to surgery, understanding the mechanism of laparoscopy, knowing what will happen and how to prepare for it, will definitely lessen their fear and will also help them to recover fast.

In case you are considering laparoscopic surgery, it would be wise to have consultations with a team of doctors that are skilled in minimally invasive techniques. If you want your operations to be done with the highest level of skill, the use of the most modern instruments and followed by the most gentle post-op care, then make a choice to go to the best laparoscopy hospital in Chennai at our Sugam Hospital we offer all the efforts that are made for your comfort and convenience.