Why choose Laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy or minimal access surgery on this day is already a “time tested” better option for surgery over open modality.

• Anaesthesia

Laparoscopic surgeries are generally done under general anaesthesia where the patient is not conscious for the surgery. You will not have any sensation for the duration of the surgery.

• Position

In gynaecological laparoscopic surgery, the common position is lithotomy where your buttocks is at the edge of the table and legs are separated and supported by stirrups. For the duration of the surgery, your head end will be tilted down called as Trendelenburg position.

• Incision

More number but far smaller incisions means less pain, less bleeding and almost no risk of infection or hernia. The smaller incisions heal better and hence less scarring. All in all there is a good exterior outcome.

• Visibility or accessibility

The space where your uterus or ovaries are situated in called pelvis and it is like a deep space bound all around by bones. Laparoscopy with magnified and illuminated vision, the difficult surgeries get easier. So if you have had previous surgeries, endometriosis, need more detailed surgery like radical hysterectomy or pelvic lymph node dissection, contrary to the usual idea, minimal access if actually better and safer.

• Recovery

In laparoscopic gynaecological surgery, there is no or minimal handling of bowel or intestines. This means there is less risk of digestion problems, bloating and adhesions after surgery which is common in case of open surgery. There is much less risk of bleeding with laparoscopic surgeries. The entity of infection after laparoscopy is negligible hence it is surgeon favourite. With all these features, a person undergoing laparoscopic surgery, even after a major case, needs to remain in hospital far shorter while compared to an open surgery. This in the wholesome view accounts for lesser cost to the patient. Return to general activities and even back to professional work is also faster.

• Cost

With more patients choosing minimal access approach, the cost of laparoscopy mostly match that of open case. There are certain instruments designed for a safer surgery in laparoscopy which might add on to your quotation and the requirement of such instruments is influenced by availability, surgeon preference, surgeon experience and skill, bulk of surgeries in the given institution and your affordability.

Laparoscopy is definitely a better modality of surgery than open method in most conditions. When you are advised for any gynaecological surgery, discuss with your doctor the feasibility of laparoscopic surgery and its details.