Laparoscopy

What is Laparoscopy?

Dr. Ceana Nezhat is one of the world's leading experts in Abdominal Laparoscopic procedures. Laparoscopy is a surgical technique in which the abdominal cavity (belly) is inflated with carbon dioxide gas (CO2) and distended. A small (3-11mm thick) telescope (resembling a long and thin tube) is then inserted through a tiny incision just below the belly button, into the abdominal cavity. This high definition telescope, called a laparoscope, has a light source at its end and a camera that allows the surgical team to watch on HD-monitors what is inside the belly under magnification and in great detail. Gas already inflated inside the abdomen helps keep the walls of the abdomen and the organs separated from each other and allows excellent exposure. Additional (one to 3) 5-10mm incisions are made close to the pubic bone to insert long, thin instruments. These instruments are essentially extensions of the surgeon's hands allowing the surgeon to use these instruments from outside the body and perform surgery inside the abdominal cavity.

Why Is It Done?

There are many uses for laparoscopy. One common use is to find the cause of a health problem, such as chronic pelvic pain (pain that lasts for more than 6 months). Laparoscopy is used for some procedures and to treat some conditions as follows:

- Endometriosis—If you have endometriosis, laparoscopic surgery may be done to treat it. During this procedure, the endometriosis tissue is removed with a laser, heat, or other methods.

- Fibroids—Fibroids are growths that form inside the wall of the uterus or outside the uterus. When fibroids cause pain and heavy bleeding, laparoscopy sometimes can be used to remove them, depending on how many fibroids there are, how big they are, and where they are located.

- Ovarian cysts—Some women have cysts (fluid-filled sacs) that develop on the ovaries. These cysts may cause only mild discomfort. Over time, ovarian cysts often go away on their own. But if they do not, your doctor may suggest that they be removed with laparoscopy.

- Ectopic pregnancy—Laparoscopy may be done to remove an ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tube.

- Sterilization—In this operation, the doctor uses the laparoscope as a guide to block the fallopian tubes by cutting, clipping, or burning them. After this procedure, a woman can no longer get pregnant. It is meant to be a permanent method of birth control.

- Laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH)— Laparoscopically performed portion of procedure are adhesiolisis, excision of endometriosis (if exists) and division of uper vascular pedicle and parametria. The rest of the procedure is performed vaginally.

- Laparoscopic hysterectomy—This  entire procedure is performed laparoscopically, the uterus is detached from inside the body. The uterus is the removed through the vagina or through the abdomen using morcellation technique.

- Pelvic problems— Laparoscopic Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery is performed to treat Pelvic Organ Prolapse.

             

How long is the recovery period following laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy results in relatively little pain, and a quick recovery for most patients. Patients sometimes experience aches in the shoulders or chest following laparoscopy--this is from the carbon dioxide that was used to fill the abdominal cavity. Although prescription pain killers are often ordered, Tylenol or Advil is usually sufficient for pain relief after this procedure. Barring complications, most patients are fully recovered and ready to return to full activity one week after laparoscopy.

Risks and Benefits:

As with any surgery, there is a small risk of problems with laparoscopy. Sometimes the problems do not appear right away. The risk that a problem will occur is related to the type of surgery that is performed. The more complex the surgery, the greater the risk. Be sure to ask Dr. Nezhat about the risks associated with your specific surgery. There also may be other ways to treat your condition besides surgery, such as medications.

In some cases, the Dr. Nezhat may decide that a laparoscopy cannot be done during the surgery. An abdominal incision is made instead. If this happens, you may need to stay in the hospital for a day or two. Your recovery also will take longer. Laparoscopy has many benefits. There is less pain after laparoscopic surgery than with open abdominal surgery, which involves larger incisions, longer hospital stays, and a longer recovery. The risk of infection also is lower. You will be able to recover from laparoscopic surgery faster than from open abdominal surgery. It can be done as outpatient surgery, so you usually will not have to spend the night in the hospital. The smaller incisions that are used allow you to heal faster and have smaller scars.

To find out more information on Laparoscopy, or to find out if you are a good candidate for this procedure, consult your physician.

Have a question regarding Laparoscopy?

 

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