Know from the doctor about Laparoscopy in Gynecology
 |
| Laparoscopy in Gynaecology - a minimally invasive technique |
Gynaecology is an area of medicine that involves the treatment of women’s problems, especially those of reproductive organs & related issues. Most common gynaecological problems requiring surgery include infertility (inability to conceive), fibroids in the womb, heavy menstrual bleeding, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, urinary incontinence etc & the list is exhaustive. A wide variety of treatment options, failing which usually surgery is offered.
Traditionally these surgeries have been performed by giving
a cut on the tummy, known as laparotomy. But ever since laparoscopy (keyhole
surgery) was started in early 1900’s a lot of advances happened in
minimally invasive surgery fields making it one of the most safe & cosmetic way
of surgical approaches.
What is laparoscopy?
Laparoscopy is a type of surgery in which the surgeon can
visualise the organs inside the tummy after giving 2-4 tiny cuts of 5mm size,
distending it with CO2 gas, and placing a light source & other instruments to
complete the surgery. It’s usually done under general anaesthesia where in the
woman is put to sleep during the procedure. End of the surgery the gas is let
out & the cuts are closed with glue or s=tch.
‘Even if you have scars, you are still beautiful. Scars are
tattoos with better stories’.
What are the surgical fields in which laparoscopy can be
done?
It can diagnose or treat various gynaecological,
surgical, urological etc… conditions.
What are the advantages of the conventional open method?
Advantages to the women include cosmetic scars, less blood
loss, less pain, rapid recovery, shorter hospital stay, better satisfaction
& minimal complications like hernia, blood clots in the legs, infections,
adhesions etc It also gives the surgeon better opera=ng field & less
physical strain in the form of retraction unlike in open surgeries
Do laparoscopic surgeries have any disadvantages?
In case of unanticipated findings or untoward complications, there may be a need for conversion to laparotomy (open surgery), regarding which
detailed counselling will be done before the surgery.
Also, the equipment & the procedure cost is more than the
open methods.
What complications can happen during/ after laparoscopy?
Minor complications like feeling sick, vomiting, infection, and bruising at the cut site can happen in 1 in 100, but they resolve spontaneously.
However, rarely certain serious complications like injury to the adjacent
organs(intestines, urinary bladder, blood vessel), can happen especially after
multiple previous surgeries due to adhesions.
Who cannot have a laparoscopy?
Women who have significant cardiorespiratory problems
wherein they cannot tolerate prolonged abdomen distension with gas or prolonged
anaesthesia might not be fit enough to go for laparoscopic surgeries, but the
decision will be made by the multidisciplinary team.
Is there anything better than laparoscopy?
‘Robo=c assisted laparoscopy’ is an advance wherein the
surgeon uses a console to perform the procedure, by controlling the robotic
arms. The robotic system provides 3-D vision, and better precision & allows
surgeons to perform more complex procedures. Available evidence says that it has a lesser complication rate & better recovery than regular laparoscopy or open
methods. But it’s very expensive in the current scenario. ‘Laparoscopy is an
art. The science of today is the technology of tomorrow.
Dr Sri Harika Bonam
Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist & Lap
Surgeon,
Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospital, Jubilee Hills. Hyderabad.
Note: This article is general information in public
interest, it is not medical advice under any circumstances.
