Laparoscopic surgery, also called minimally invasive surgery (MIS), bandaid surgery, or keyhole surgery, is a modern surgical technique in which operations in the abdomen are performed through small incisions (usually 0.5–1.5 cm) as opposed to the larger incisions needed in laparotomy.

Keyhole surgery makes use of images displayed on TV monitors to magnify the surgical elements.

Laparoscopic surgery includes operations within the abdominal or pelvic cavities, whereas keyhole surgery performed on the thoracic or chest cavity is called thoracoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery belong to the broader field of endoscopy.

ADVANTAGES

There are a number of advantages to the patient with laparoscopic surgery versus an open procedure.

Reduced haemorrage, which reduces the chance of needing a blood transfusion.

• Smaller incision, which reduces pain and shortens recovery time, as well as resulting in less post-operative scarring.

• Less pain, leading to less pain medication needed.

• Although procedure times are usually slightly longer, hospital stay is less, and often with a same day discharge which leads to a faster return to everyday living.

• Reduced exposure of internal organs to possible external contaminants thereby reduced risk of acquiring infections.

   Why It Is Done

Laparoscopy is done to:

• Check for and possibly take out abnormal growths (such as tumors) in the belly or pelvis.

• Check for and treat conditions such as endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

• Find conditions that can make it hard for a woman to become pregnant. These conditions include cysts, adhesions, fibroids, and infection. Laparoscopy may be done after initial infertility tests do not show the cause for the infertility.

• Do a biopsy.

• See whether cancer in another area of the body has spread to the belly.

• Check for damage to internal organs, such as the spleen, after an injury or accident.

• Do a tubal ligation.

• Fix a hiatal hernia or an inguinal hernia .

• Take out organs, such as the uterus, spleen , gallbladder (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), ovaries, or appendix (appendectomy). Partial removal (resection) of the colon also can be done.

• Find the cause of sudden or ongoing pelvic pain.

How To Prepare

Tell your doctor if you:

• Have allergies to any medicines, including anesthesia.

• Have any bleeding problems or are taking any blood-thinning medicines, such as aspirin or warfarin (Coumadin).

• Are or might be pregnant.

Before laparoscopy:

• Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking, or your surgery may be cancelled. If your doctor has instructed you to take your medicines on the day of surgery, please do so using only a sip of water.

• Leave your jewellery at home. Any jewellery you wear will need to be taken off before the laparoscopy.

• Remove your glasses, contacts, and dentures or a removable bridge before the laparoscopy. These will be given back to you as soon as you wake up after the surgery.

• Arrange for someone to drive you home after the laparoscopy.

You may be asked to use an enema or suppository several hours before or the day before the surgery to empty your colon.

The hospital or surgery center may send you instructions on how to get ready for your laparoscopy or a nurse may call you with instructions before your surgery.

You will be asked to sign a consent form that says you understand the risks of the test and agree to have it done.

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have about the need for the surgery, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will mean.