FAQ’s

What is a laparoscope ?

A laparoscope is a specially designed telescope for medical use. It has a high intensity (fiber-optic) light source as well as a high-resolution television camera. It is placed into the abdominal cavity through a hollow tube (trocar) and allows the surgeon to clearly view inside of the abdomen on the monitor outside.

How is laparoscopy performed ?

Laparoscopy is performed through 3-4 small incisions in the abdomen. One of the incisions is used to insert a port (nozzle) that fills the carbon dioxide gas into the abdomen to inflate it. Now laparoscope is inserted through another incision. Other surgical instruments are inserted through rest of the incisions to perform the surgery. After completing the procedure, the carbon dioxide gas is released out, and incisions are closed with sutures or staples, or covered with glue-like bandage.

What are the advantages of laparoscopic surgery over traditional open surgery ?

There are many advantages over traditional open surgery like :

• Shorter hospitalization of 1 to 2 days as compared to 5 to 7 days for open surger

• Much smaller incisions, the risk of

• Less risk of wound infection

• Less risk of hernia formation

• Much less pain

• Minimal blood loss

• Sooner return to work

• Negligible risks and complications

• High success rate

What are the complications associated with laparoscopic surgery ?

As every surgery is associated with some degree of complications, so is the laparoscopic surgery. The most frequent complications are:

• Bleeding

• Infection

• Injury to the abdominal organs like, intestines, urinary bladder or blood vessels

• Electrical burns due to leaking of current from electrodes. These burns can lead to perforated organs and peritonitis

• Hypothermia

• Pain in joints especially shoulder joint due to pressure placed by carbon dioxide gas on the diaphragm and phrenic nerve

• Pulmonary disorder

When is laparoscopic procedure converted to the open procedure ?

This generally occurs in people who have had many previous abdominal surgeries and have a lot of scar tissue. Other than this, sometimes the laparoscopic procedures that are performed to remove cancer organs may also be converted to open procedure if the cancer has spread beyond the organ.

What happens after the laparoscopic procedure ?

• Depending upon the type of procedure performed and condition of the patient, most people go home within 1-2 days.

• On discharge, patient is given some guidelines to be followed during his stay at home.

• Patient is advised to take oral pain relievers and antibiotics

• There will be some soreness around the incisions which is absolutely normal and nothing to worry about.

• Pain gets better every day

• Patient can take shower but should not do baths/pools/soaking in water for 10-14 days

• Patient should follow up regularly with his surgeon

Laparoscopy is also a surgery then why is pain less in this procedure ?

Laparoscopic surgery is through 4-5 small incisions as compared to a large 6 to 8 inch incision that is made in the open procedure. These small incisions heal quickly and cause less pain and discomfort to the patient.