PROCEDURES Laparoscopic Surgery

What is Laparoscopic Surgery

Keyhole surgery, also known as Laparoscopic surgery, became available during the last decade of the twentieth century with the development of small, lightweight, high-resolution video cameras. Laparoscopy is performed using a laparoscope, a telescopic camera that allows the surgeon to view a magnified picture of the internal organs. The image is then projected from the video camera onto a television monitor. The operation is performed using special instruments inserted into the abdomen through small, "keyhole" incisions into the skin.

The technique helps patients to recover faster, creates less post-operative pain, a shorter hospital stay, fewer wound complications, and a better aesthetic outcome. A wide variety of conditions can be treated laparoscopically if the surgeon determines appropriate circumstances. These conditions include:

  • Gallstones and bile duct stones.
  • Groin and abdominal hernia.
  • Reflux disease (heartburn).
  • Oesophagal disease.
  • Colon and bowel disease.
  • Diagnostic surgery to find the cause of abdominal inflammation, pain, tumours, or adhesions.
  • Abdominal emergencies such as appendicitis or a perforated peptic ulcer.

What to expect

Please tell your surgeon about any medications you’re taking, whether prescription or over-the-counter. Then, your doctor will advise you on whether you should continue taking them.

Please also let us know if you are pregnant or if you could be pregnant.

Before your laparoscopic procedure, your surgeon may order blood tests, urinalysis, electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), and a chest X-ray. They might also perform specific imaging tests, including an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI scan.

These tests can help your team better understand the abnormality examined during laparoscopy. These results give us a visual guide to the inside of your abdomen, which can improve the effectiveness of laparoscopy.

You'll likely need to avoid eating and drinking anything for eight hours before your laparoscopic procedure. Please also arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure. Laparoscopy is often performed using general anaesthesia, which makes you drowsy, so you would not be able to drive for several hours.