Laparoscopy (also known as keyhole surgery) is a minimal invasive surgical procedure used for both the diagnosis and treatment of various gynaecological health problems, such as:
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Ovarian cyst
- Assessing fallopian tubes condition
What does the procedure involve?
Laparoscopic surgery is usually done under general anaesthesia.
First, the skin over the abdomen is cleaned. The surgeon or gynaecologist then makes a small incision (cut) about 1-2 cm long near the navel (belly button). Some gas is injected through the cut to ‘blow out’ the abdominal wall slightly. This makes it easier to see the internal organs with the laparoscope which is gently pushed through the incision into the abdominal cavity. The surgeon or gynaecologist then looks down at the laparoscope or looks at pictures on a TV monitor connected to the laparoscope.
If you have a surgical procedure, one or more separate small incisions are made in the abdominal skin. These allow thin instruments to be pushed into the abdominal cavity. The surgeon or gynaecologist can see the ends of these instruments with the laparoscope and so can perform the required procedure.
When the surgeon or gynaecologist is finished, the laparoscope and other instruments are removed. The incisions are stitched, and dressings are applied.
After surgery, you may feel:
- A little sore around the incisions
- Pain in your shoulder tip (due to the gas pumped inside during the procedure)
You may need to stay at the hospital for 24 hours so that you will be monitored for any acute post-surgical complications. You may return to routine life activities on your 5th day post-surgery.
References:
- https://www.uhcw.nhs.uk/download/clientfiles/files/Laparoscopy%20and%20Laparoscopic%20Surgery.pdf