Georg Kelling, Dimitri Ott, and Hans Christian Jacobeus were the first to introduce laparoscopic surgery, which has made quick advances in the last decade. If history is concerned, in 1901, Georg Kelling of Dresden, Saxony, conducted the first laparoscopic procedure on dogs in 1902, and Hans Christian Jacobaeus of Sweden confirmed the first laparoscopic procedure on humans in 1910.

Continue reading to know all about laparoscopic surgery in India.

Laparoscopic surgery is also known as "bandaid surgery," "minimally invasive surgery" (MIS), and "keyhole surgery." It is a modern surgery where operations in the abdomen are conducted through small incisions (generally 0.5-1.5 cm) as opposed to larger incisions required in traditional surgical procedures.

These small incursions are used to penetrate a slender and long tube with a high-intensity light and a high-resolution camera on the front. Furthermore, biopsies can be performed using this technique, scar tissue can be removed, and tissue samples can be taken from internal organs such as the appendix, liver, gallbladder, colon, or reproductive organs.

By using this technique, a doctor can make precise diagnoses and take appropriate action due to better visibility, and the patient can also recover faster and conveniently because of the minimally invasive incisions. Laparoscopy has a wide range of applications and is used to treat different conditions and certain symptoms, such as –

• Ectopic pregnancy
• Female infertility
• Ovarian cyst
• Endometriosis
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Abdominal or pelvic pain
• Appendicitis
• Fibroids
• Undescended testicles

Laparoscopic technology may be used to conduct a broad variety of surgeries. It enables minimally invasive surgery with high success rates. A few of the different types are as follows: 

• Laparoscopic Appendix Removal

Three tiny incisions of 0.25 to 0.5 inches are necessary for a laparoscopic appendectomy. While performing surgery, the surgeon views the images on a monitor.

• Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

This operation can be used to remove the gallbladder. Instead of a huge incision that extends the healing process, it necessitates tiny incisions.

• Laparoscopic Spine Surgery

With a minimally invasive method, problems like bone spurs, degenerative disc disease, and herniated discs can be addressed. For this procedure, small puncture holes are made as opposed to a significant cut.

• Laparoscopic Hernia Repair

The belly button is used to insert the laparoscope, which is then used to view the internal organs. Additionally, the abdominal wall weakness is covered by a mesh that the surgeon inserts

With time this method of surgery became increasingly effective, and most medical professionals are now preferring laparoscopic surgery over other methods. Additionally, this is also cost-effective and preferable among patients. The list of uses includes –

• Cyst, stone, fibroid, and polyp removals.
• Liver resection
• Gastrectomy
• Pancreaticoduodenectomy
• Radical nephroureterectomy
• Splenectomy
• Nephrectomy
• Adrenalectomy
• Prostatectomy
• Cystectomy
• Abdominoperineal resection
• Colectomy
• Appendectomy for appendicitis
• Cholecystectomy for gallstones
• Gastric bypass surgery
• Esophageal anti-reflux surgery
• Hernia repair surgery
• Rectopexy
• Orchiopexy
• Urethral and vaginal reconstruction surgery
• Endometriosis surgery
• Ectopic pregnancy removal
• Tubal ligation and reversal

Serious problems or side effects of laparoscopic surgery are uncommon because it is a pretty common and safe treatment. Nevertheless, a few of the complications that can arise are –

Minor Complication

According to estimates, 1 to 2 cases out of every 100 involving laparoscopy will experience minor problems. They consist of -

• Feeling sick and vomiting
• Minor bleeding and bruising around the incision
• Infection

Major Complications

Although rare, serious complications can occur to patients. They consist of –

• Harm to an organ that could cause it to stop functioning, like bowels or bladder
• A serious anaesthetic allergy reaction
• Difficulties with the use of carbon dioxide, such as gas bubbles getting into your arteries or veins
• Harm to the major artery
• A blood clot that is forming in a vein, typically in one of the legs, and has the potential to separate and obstruct blood flow in a blood vessel in the lung.

For examining the abdomen and its internal organs, an abdominal laparoscopy can be performed. A few of the organs that are targeted include –

• Belly pain that can’t be explained
• Injuries
• Infections
• Tumours and other growths
• Bleeding inside the belly
• Blockages
• Other conditions

When the results of an X-ray, physical examination, or CT scan are unclear, laparoscopy is usually suggested by medical professionals.

Additionally, laparoscopy can be performed to assess the cancerous condition of an abdominal organ or to examine an abdominal injury. This method is very effective in determining the location and depth of the damage. Your level of internal bleeding can also be seen through laparoscopy.

For female patients, a gynaecologic laparoscopy is performed to diagnose –

• Fibroids
• Pelvic pain and problems
• Ovarian cysts

Besides these, there are various other reasons to perform laparoscopy.

If you want to know what to do before laparoscopic surgery, here are a few helpful guidelines that might help –

• On the day of operation, put on low-heeled shoes. Due to the anaesthesia, you can feel groggy and unstable on your feet.
• The night before your operation, avoid eating, drinking (even water), and smoking after midnight.
• Wear no jewellery.
• Nail paint must be removed before surgery.
• Put on comfortable clothing. After the operation, you can experience some cramps and abdominal soreness.

A laparoscopy can be performed as an outpatient procedure or as part of a hospital stay. The test may be conducted in many ways. Above all, your condition and the procedures followed by your healthcare professional will determine this.

Typically, a laparoscopy is performed while you are unconscious and under general anaesthetic. Depending on the surgery and your general health, your healthcare professional will decide on the anaesthetic kind. Nevertheless, the steps of laparoscopy include –

• Preparation:

This entails pre-operative measures like advising the patient to refrain from eating or drinking six to twelve hours before surgery, discontinuing prescription medications like blood thinners a few days beforehand, and giving up unhealthy habits like smoking.

• Procedure

A 1 to 1.5 cm long incision is created close to the abdominal button. It is then passed via a tube, after which carbon dioxide gas is pumped to expand the abdomen. This gives the surgeon more space to work and enables a clearer view of the internal organs.

The tube is used to insert a laparoscope, which transmits images to a monitor or screen. Later, more abdominal incisions are made to introduce the tiny surgical tools.

• After Operation

After laparoscopic surgery, the medical professional will remove all equipment and most of the CO2 from the abdomen. The incisions are stitched closed, and the affected area is bandaged. Because of the anaesthesia, the patient may experience nausea or fatigue.

In most instances, the patient is released on the same day as the surgery. However, a few individuals may need hospitalisation for a full recovery. For example, laparoscopic hysterectomy, which removes the uterus, may necessitate a longer recovery period than others.

With traditional approaches, you might need to stay approximately 7 days in the emergency room for intestinal surgery, and final recovery could take 1 to 2 months. However, if you undergo a laparoscopic operation, you may spend only 2 nights in the hospital and recover in 2 or 3 weeks.

Furthermore, a shorter hospital stay is usually less expensive. Besides this, few more noteworthy advantages include –

• Comparatively less internal scarring
• In general, patients can return to their normal lifestyle sooner
• Usually, the scars heal much faster in comparison to other methods of surgery and also involve less pain.
• Reduced haemorrhaging, which lowers the likelihood of requiring a blood transfusion.
• The scars are also smaller and allow patients to leave the medical facility faster.

Laparoscopy is a relatively risk-free surgery. This treatment has the advantage of allowing your medical professional to make an accurate evaluation of your problem. Nevertheless, a few of the potential problems include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Anaesthesia-related problem
• Injury to nearby blood vessels and organs
• A blood clot enters the circulation and causes clotting in the pelvis, legs, or lungs.
• An abdominal wall inflammation
• A blood clot that can move to your heart or brain and trigger a heart attack or stroke is extremely rare.

Contact your doctor after laparoscopy on experiencing the following symptoms –

• More than 24 hours with a temperature above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Nausea and vomiting that lasts for longer than 24 hours.
• Menstrual flow that is heavier than usual, severe bleeding with clots, or saturating a sanitary pad in less than two hours after surgery.
• Breathing difficulties or shortness of breath
• Around your wound, you may see redness, swelling, discomfort, discharge, or bleeding.