Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery is a modern surgical technique that allows doctors to perform procedures through small incisions, offering patients faster recovery times and less pain compared to traditional open surgery.
Table of contents
- What is Laparoscopic Surgery?
- When is Laparoscopic Surgery Used?
- Preparing for the Procedure
- What Happens During the Procedure
- Recovery After Laparoscopic Surgery
- Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery
- Possible Complications and Risks
What is Laparoscopic Surgery?
Laparoscopic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery performed in the abdomen or pelvis using small incisions, usually measuring half an inch or less[1]. This surgical technique gets its name from the laparoscope, a thin, flexible tube with a tiny video camera and light on the end[2]. The camera allows surgeons to see inside your body without making large cuts.
The laparoscope is inserted through a small cut in your belly, typically near your belly button[1]. During the procedure, air or carbon dioxide gas is pumped into your abdomen through the incision so the surgeon can see inside your body more easily[4]. The laparoscope camera projects real-time images of the inside of your belly or pelvis onto a monitor, allowing surgeons to watch their hand motions during the procedure[1].
Because surgeons use only small incisions and specialized instruments, laparoscopic surgery is sometimes called keyhole surgery or bandaid surgery[3]. Surgeons may make up to three or four small cuts to insert surgical instruments so they can see all the organs and perform the necessary procedures[1].
When is Laparoscopic Surgery Used?
Laparoscopic surgery can be used both to diagnose medical conditions and to treat them[1]. When performed to help diagnose a problem, it is called a diagnostic laparoscopy. When performed to treat a condition, it is called an operative laparoscopy.
Your healthcare provider might recommend a laparoscopy if other diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI scans, cannot identify the cause of your condition[1][7]. Healthcare providers also use laparoscopy to collect tissue samples, called biopsies, for testing[1].
Laparoscopic surgery can be used to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, including:
- Appendicitis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Endometriosis
- Some cancers, such as liver cancer and ovarian cancer[4]
Many common surgical procedures can be performed using laparoscopic techniques. These include:
- Removing organs such as the appendix, gallbladder, spleen, or sections of the bowel
- Removing cysts, fibroids, stones, and polyps
- Removing small tumors
- Repairing hernias or burst stomach ulcers
- Treating ectopic pregnancy
- Removing the womb (hysterectomy)
- Weight loss surgery
- Tubal ligation and reversal
- Kidney removal
- Prostate removal[2][4]
Preparing for the Procedure
Your doctor will provide specific guidelines for how to prepare for your laparoscopy. It is important to share all the medications you are taking with your doctor, as you may need to stop taking certain medicines before surgery[2]. These may include:
- Blood thinners (anticoagulants)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin or ibuprofen
- Other medications that affect blood clotting
- Herbal or dietary supplements
- Vitamin E[2]
Before the procedure, follow these general guidelines:
- Do not eat, drink (including water), or smoke after midnight the day before your procedure or surgery[1]
- Wear loose-fitting clothing, as you will have some abdominal tenderness and cramping after the procedure[1]
- Wear low-heeled shoes on the day of surgery, as you might be drowsy from anesthesia[1]
- Do not wear any jewelry, except you can wear your wedding ring[1]
- Remove any nail polish before the procedure[1]
- Arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery, as you cannot drive yourself[1][4]
What Happens During the Procedure
A laparoscopy is performed under general anesthesia, which means you will be asleep during the operation and will not feel any pain[4]. If you are having a laparoscopy to diagnose a condition, it usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes. It will take longer if you are having surgery to treat a condition[4].
During the procedure:
- You will lie on the operating table, slightly tilted with your head lower than your feet[1]
- Your surgeon will make a small cut, usually near your belly button[4]
- Air or carbon dioxide gas is pumped into your abdomen through the cut so the surgeon can see inside your body more easily[4]
- A thin, flexible tube with a camera inside (the laparoscope) is put into the cut so video images of the inside of your abdomen can be shown on a screen[4]
- If you are having surgery, more small cuts may be made in your abdomen for the surgeon to pass their tools through[4]
- When the procedure is finished, the air is let out of your abdomen and the cuts are closed with stitches or clips, and a dressing is placed on top[4]
Most laparoscopic procedures are conducted as outpatient surgeries, allowing you to return home either on the same day or the day following the surgery[8].
Recovery After Laparoscopic Surgery
After the operation, you will spend some time in the recovery room and receive medicine to help with pain and swelling[4]. Most people can leave the hospital either on the same day or the day after their procedure[4].
After the operation, you may experience:
- Feeling sick or being sick
- Feeling more tired than normal
- A sore throat
- Bloating, cramps, or pain and discomfort in your abdomen
- Shoulder pain (caused by the gas used to inflate your belly)[1]
- Bruises around your wounds[4]
The shoulder or back pain usually lasts about 1 or 2 days[1].
How long it takes to recover from a laparoscopy varies from person to person. It usually takes up to 5 days if you had it to diagnose a condition, or up to 6 to 8 weeks to fully recover if you have had surgery[4]. However, many individuals notice a significant improvement in their condition within a week or two after surgery[8].
To help your recovery, you should:
- Take pain medicine such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with any pain[4]
- Rest when you feel tired, as getting enough sleep will help you recover[15]
- Try to walk each day, starting with short distances and gradually increasing the amount you walk[15]
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration[15]
- Eat a healthy diet; if your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods such as plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt[15]
- Move around as much as you can and do foot and leg exercises while resting[4]
- Keep your wound dry for the first 24 hours; you can shower after this, but make sure the water is not too hot[4]
- Wash the incision area daily with warm, soapy water and pat it dry. Do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing[15][16]
Things you should not do during recovery:
- Do not have a bath for the first 2 weeks, or until the wound has healed[4]
- Do not drive for 48 hours or until you can do an emergency stop comfortably[4]
- Do not fly for 48 hours after having a laparoscopy[4]
- Do not drink alcohol for 48 hours[4]
- Do not smoke, as it can take your body longer to heal[4]
- Avoid strenuous activities such as bicycle riding, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise until your doctor says it is okay[15]
- Avoid lifting anything heavy, including children, heavy grocery bags, or a vacuum cleaner[15][16]
You may be able to return to work within one to two weeks, depending on the type of work you do and how you are progressing with your recovery[16]. For jobs demanding physical labor, the recovery period might extend to 4 to 6 weeks[8].
Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery offers several advantages compared to traditional open surgery:
- Reduced pain due to smaller incisions[3]
- Less bleeding during and after surgery[3]
- Shorter recovery time[3][4]
- Smaller scars[8]
- Lower costs[1]
- Improved surgical outcomes[1]
- Less time in hospital, with many patients able to go home the same day or the day after[8]
Because of these benefits, healthcare providers prefer laparoscopic surgery for a growing list of everyday operations[1].
Possible Complications and Risks
While laparoscopic surgery is generally safer than traditional open surgery, complications can still occur, although they are rare[4]. The risks from laparoscopic procedures are noticeably less than the possible risks of open surgery[8].
Possible complications may include:
- Needing to have open surgery with a larger cut[4]
- A hernia[4]
- Damage to an organ, such as your bladder[4]
- Damage to a blood vessel[4]
- A serious allergic reaction to the general anesthetic[4]
- Blood clots, such as a deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism[4]
- Infection[8]
- Excessive bleeding from the incisions[8]
You should contact your doctor urgently if you recently had a laparoscopy and experience:
- A high temperature or chills
- Severe or continuous vomiting
- Worsening abdominal pain
- A bloated abdomen
- Pain, swelling, bleeding, pus, or redness around your wounds
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Pain and swelling in one of your legs
- Coughing up blood
- Difficulty breathing or being more short of breath than usual[4]
You should call emergency services immediately if you have a very fast heartbeat after your laparoscopy[4].
