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Laparoscopic surgery

Also commonly known as “telescopic surgery” or “minimally invasive surgery”.

Laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy is commonly performed procedure to Investigate and some key hole surgeries
on abdominal and pelvic organs.

Laparoscopy is direct visualization of the abdominal cavity, ovaries, outside of the
tubes and uterus by using a laparoscope. The laparoscope is a long thin instrument
with a light source at its tip, to light up the inside of the abdomen or pelvis. Fibreoptic
fibres carry images from a lens, also at the tip of the instrument, to a video monitor,
which the surgeon and other theatre staff can view in real time.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is put into the abdomen through a special needle that is
inserted just below the navel. This gas helps to separate the organs inside the
abdominal cavity, making it easier for the physician to see the reproductive
organs during laparoscopy. The gas is removed at the end of the procedure.

Operative setting for laparoscopy

Coming soon is an interactive webmovie on Laparoscopy.

Advantages:

Minimal incisions minimize pain!
Very quick recovery
Better cosmetic result.
Fewer complications
Less blood loss

Disadvantages:

Can be technically very demanding
Loss of tactile sensation.
2 dimensional image, thus loss of depth perception.
Inexperience can prolong the operation, and thus the complication rate.

Sometimes it is inadvisable to continue an operation with the laparoscopic technique, for a
variety of reasons, (usually safety). An experienced laparoscopic surgeon will not hesitate to
convert such a case to an open (conventional) procedure under that same anaesthetic.

Laparoscopic procedures performed by Northridge surgeons:

• Obesity surgery
• Gallbladder surgery (Cholecystectomy)
• Antireflux surgery
• Hiatus hernia repairs
• Groin and incisional hernias
• Appendisectomies
• Bowel resections
• Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM)
• Adrenal tumours
• Freeing of adhesions
• Diagnostic laparoscopies
• Spleen removal
  

© New Zealand Obesity Surgery Centre- Auckland, New Zealand.