Laparoscopy

A laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure your surgeon does to look for problems in your stomach or pelvic area using a tool called a laparoscope, which is a thin, telescopic rod with a video camera on the end through a small cut (incision) in your belly (abdomen) measuring half an inch or less. Surgeons may make up to three more cuts to insert other surgical instruments to find any problems. Laparoscope camera projects an image of the inside of your pelvis onto a monitor using which surgeons can watch their hand motions during the procedure.

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Gynaecological Laparoscopic surgeries at Pauls Hospital

At Pauls hospital, we specialise in minimally invasive gynaecological surgeries, particularly laparoscopic procedures. These advanced surgeries offer significant benefits over traditional open surgeries, including reduced recovery time, minimal scarring, and lower postoperative pain. Here's an overview of the entire process, from patient counselling to full recovery.

Our dedicated surgical team ensures every patient receives the highest standard of care, from initial consultation through to full recovery. We are committed to providing personalized treatment plans that meet each patient's unique needs.

Paul's Hospital

Providing the Best Laparoscopic Service

Laparoscopy is used to treat a range of gynecological conditions such as fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and for hysterectomies (removal of the uterus).
Minimally invasive: Smaller incisions mean less postoperative pain and faster recovery.

Shorter hospital stay: Most of the patients can go home the next day, reducing the need for a prolonged hospital stay.

Faster return to normal activities: Patients can return to work and daily life much quicker than with traditional surgeries.

Less scarring: The tiny incisions leave minimal scars, often barely noticeable after healing.

Lower risk of infection: With smaller incisions and less exposure of internal organs, the risk of infection is significantly reduced.
Most laparoscopic procedures take between 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the complexity of the condition being treated. Complicated surgeries may take longer.
Your doctor will give you specific instructions, but common preparations include fasting 4-6 hours before surgery, stopping certain medications, and arranging for someone to take you home after the procedure.
While laparoscopy is generally safe and has a faster recovery time than traditional open surgery, like any surgical procedure, it does carry some risks. Understanding these potential risks can help you make informed decisions about your treatment.

Infection: As with any surgery, there is a risk of infection at the incision sites or within the abdomen. Symptoms of infection may include redness, swelling, fever, or unusual discharge from the incision. In most cases, infections can be treated with antibiotics.

Bleeding: During laparoscopic surgery, there is a small risk of internal bleeding or damage to blood vessels. If significant bleeding occurs, a blood transfusion or conversion to open surgery may be necessary. However, major bleeding complications are rare. Our conversion rate to open surgery is less than 1% which is far below the internationally quoted.

Injury to Surrounding Organs: In rare cases, the instruments used during laparoscopic surgery may accidentally injure surrounding organs, such as the bladder, bowel, or blood vessels. If this happens, corrective measures can and will be performed for a safe outcome.

Blood Clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis - DVT): There is a small risk of developing blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) during or after surgery. These clots can sometimes travel to the lungs, causing a serious condition called a pulmonary embolism. At Pauls hospital, patients are made to wear intermittent pneumatic compression device over the leg during and after the surgery until the patient starts walking. In selected patients, injections may also be provided to prevent DVT.

Adhesions: Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that can form inside the abdomen after surgery. These adhesions can sometimes cause pain or complications like bowel obstruction, though this is rare in laparoscopic surgery compared to open surgery. We follow surgical methods to minimise adhesions like achieving good hemostasis, irrigation to prevent tissue drying and minimise trauma to tissues.

Reaction to Anesthesia: Laparoscopic surgery is performed under general anesthesia, which means you will be asleep during the procedure. Although rare, some people may experience adverse reactions to anesthesia, such as nausea, allergic reactions, or breathing problems. A pre aneasthetic checkup by our aneathestist is performed prior to surgery to evaluate and discuss regarding aneathesis.Your anesthesiologist will be monitoring you closely to minimize these risks.

Conversion to Open Surgery: In some cases, complications during the procedure may require the surgeon to convert the laparoscopic surgery to a traditional open surgery (laparotomy). This can happen if there is excessive bleeding, difficulty viewing the organs, or unexpected findings during the procedure. Our conversion rate to open surgery is less than 1% which is far below the internationally quoted.

Postoperative Pain and Discomfort: Mild pain and discomfort, especially around the incision sites or due to gas used during the procedure, are common after laparoscopic surgery. This pain usually subsides within a few days and can be managed with pain relief medications.

Hernia: There is a very small risk of developing a hernia at the incision sites where the laparoscopic instruments were inserted. A hernia occurs when part of the intestine pushes through the weakened abdominal wall. In rare cases, surgical repair may be needed.

Risk of Failure to Resolve Symptoms: In some cases, the underlying condition may not be fully resolved by laparoscopic surgery, and symptoms may persist or return. This may require additional treatment or surgery.