LAPAROSCOPIC SURGICAL TECHNIQUE
What is a laparoscope?
Laparoscopic surgery uses a thin, telescope-like instrument called a laparoscope, which is inserted through a small incision, usually at the umbilicus (belly button). The laparoscope is connected to a high resolution video camera which projects a view of the operative site onto specialised monitors located in the operating room.
What is pneumoperitoneum?
The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to allow your surgeon a better view of the operative area. This is called pneumoperitoneum (pneumo=air, peritos=abdominal cavity). There is very little risk of ill effects of the gas.
How do we perform surgical procedures in laparoscopy?
Additional small incisions are made through which the surgeon inserts specialized surgical instruments. The surgeon uses these instruments to perform the surgery. Following the procedure, all the gas is removed and the small incisions are closed with sutures and covered with surgical tape. After a few months, they are barely visible.
Are all procedures suitable for laparoscopy?
In a small number of patients the laparoscopic method cannot be performed. Factors that may increase the possibility of choosing or converting to the "open" procedure may include inability to tolerate general anaesthesia, obesity, a history of prior abdominal surgery causing dense adhesions (internal scar tissue), inability to visualize organs or bleeding problems during the operation.
The decision to perform the open procedure is a judgment decision made by your surgeon either before or during the actual operation. When the surgeon feels that it is safest to convert the laparoscopic procedure to an open one, this is not a complication, but rather a sound surgical judgment. The decision to convert to an open procedure is strictly based on patient safety.