Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is a type of surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to access the inside of the abdomen (tummy) and pelvis without having to make large incisions in the skin.
This procedure is also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery.
Large incisions can be avoided during laparoscopy because the surgeon uses an instrument called a laparoscope. This is a small tube that has a light source and a camera, which relays images of the inside of the abdomen or pelvis to a television monitor.
The advantages of this technique over traditional open surgery include:
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a shorter hospital stay and faster recovery time
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less pain and bleeding after the operation
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reduced scarring
How laparoscopy is carried out
Laparoscopy is carried out under general anesthetic, so you will not feel any pain during the procedure.
During laparoscopy, the surgeon makes one or more small incisions in the abdomen. These allow the surgeon to insert the laparoscope, small surgical tools and a tube, which is used to pump gas into the abdomen – this makes it easier for the surgeon to look around and operate.
After the procedure, the gas is let out of your abdomen, the incisions are closed using stitches and a dressing is applied.
You can often go home on the same day you have laparoscopy, although you may need to stay in hospital overnight.
Laparoscope for Diagnosis
Laparoscopies are now widely used to diagnose many different conditions and investigate certain symptoms. For example, they may be used for:
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Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) – a bacterial infection of the female upper genital tract, including the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries
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Endometriosis – where small pieces of the womb lining (the endometrium) are found outside the womb
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Ectopic pregnancy – a pregnancy that develops outside the womb
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Ovarian cyst – a fluid-filled sac that develops on a woman’s ovary
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Fibroids – non-cancerous tumors that grow in or around the womb (uterus)
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Female infertility
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Undescended testicles – a common childhood condition where a boy is born without one or both testicles in their scrotum
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Appendicitis – a painful swelling of the appendix (a small pouch connected to the large intestine)
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Unexplained pelvic or abdominal pain
Cancers that can be diagnosed using laparoscopy include:
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Liver cancer
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Pancreatic cancer
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Ovarian cancer
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Cancer of the bile duct
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Cancer of the gallbladder
Treating conditions
Laparoscopic surgery can be used to treat a number of different conditions, including:
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The removal of an inflamed appendix in cases of appendicitis where there is a high risk of the appendix bursting
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Removing the gallbladder, which is often used to treat gallstones
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Removing a section of the intestine, which is often used to treat digestive conditions (such as crohn’s disease or diverticulitis) that do not respond to medication
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Repairing hernias, such as those found in the groin
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Repairing burst or bleeding stomach ulcers
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Performing weight loss surgery
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Removing some or all of an organ that has been affected by cancer, such as the ovaries, prostate, liver, colon, kidney or bladder
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Treating ectopic pregnancy (it’s usually necessary to remove the embryo to prevent damage to the fallopian tubes)
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Removing fibroids
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Removing the womb (hysterectomy), which is sometimes used to treat pelvic inflammatory disease (pid), endometriosis, heavy periods or painful periods