Advantages of Laparoscopic Surgery
Technology has radically changed over the years and now changing the way many surgeries are performed. Many emergency and elective surgeries are now performed laparoscopically. There is no doubt that being able to perform a surgical procedure has changed humankind. Surgical procedures will allow us to live healthier and longer lives. Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive type of surgery similar to robotic surgery where only a small incision is made often through the patient’s belly button. Once the incision is made a small camera is inserted into the abdominal cavity which is called a laparoscope camera. Carbon dioxide, odorless and non-toxic gas is used to inflate the abdominal walls which will give the surgeon a clear view for them to examine and operate on the inside tissues and organs.
The surgeon will be able to see everything on a tv screen while performing the procedure. If it is necessary, further small incisions may be needed to allow access for other small instruments to be threaded through to perform the surgery. Once the operation is complete, the carbon dioxide is expelled and the incisions are closed using dissolvable stitches. Laparoscopic surgeons use miniature cameras which allows them to get an up-close view and work with efficiency and incredible skill.
Some of the main advantages of Laparoscopic Surgery are:
Less Risk of Bleeding
With the incisions being relatively small this reduces the risk of bleeding during the operation whereas open surgery you would be at more risk. The blood loss is very small so therefore the need for a blood transfusion to compensate for blood loss has significantly decreased.
Surgery scarring will be smaller
For a lot of patients, a smaller incision through laparoscopic surgery is beneficial as it will leave a smaller scar more so than open surgery. Traditional open surgeries will leave a larger incision and scarring after the operation is performed. With laparoscopic surgery as the incision is minimal, it is only a few millimeters and a centimeter. This type of surgery will avoid obvious and long scarring that can be cosmetic unappealing to many people. Smaller incisions will heal quicker and are less painful. They will also be less prone to infection and hernias in the long term.
Hospital stay will be shorter
Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery causes less trauma on the body which means as a patient you will be discharged from hospital so much quicker than you would if you had a traditional open surgery operation. Many patients will get to go home on the same day or the next day after the operation allowing you to return to normal daily activities more quickly.
Laparoscopic is a lot safer than open surgery
This type of surgery means small incisions are made meaning there will be less risk of infection due to a small space for microbes and bacteria to enter the abdomen area. You are also at less risk of exposing the internal organs to contamination. This allows the chance of post-operative infection risks to reduce as well.
It is just as effective as traditional open surgery
Laparoscopic surgery was developed in the 1970s and hundreds of clinical trials have been conducted to assess the efficacy and the safety of this type of surgery. The studies did show that for abdominal procedures laparoscopic surgery is just as effective as open surgery. Laparoscopic surgery has become increasingly popular for the removal of the gallbladder, removal of kidney for the treatment of cancer, and colon cancer removal. It has also become popular for bariatric surgery which is for weight loss. The laparoscopic approach is a success.
Minimally invasive kidney cancer treatments
Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy
This type of surgery is a minimally invasive procedure performed to remove large kidney tumors. When the procedure is being performed small incisions are made to remove the entire kidney. Most scarring from this operation is hidden only the one on the belly button and in the area under the beltline so that the scar will won’t be as visible.
Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy
If surgery is necessary, partial nephrectomy is minimally invasive where small kidney tumors are removed from the kidney and not the whole kidney removed. It is performed through laparoscopic or robotic surgery as it has many advantages. The recovery time is a lot quicker, quicker return to work, less pain, smaller scarring, and reduced risk of bleeding. Removing only the lumps on the kidney has many advantages such as better long-term survival, less risk of kidney failure, and much more. The majority of small kidney cancers are now suited for just the removal of the tumors on the kidneys and not the entire kidney.
It has economic benefits
With the costs of surgery being considerably high, laparoscopic is significantly less in costs than traditional surgery procedures. You spend a lot less time in the hospital which means fewer hospital charges. Even outside of the hospital there is a lot less cost too. With the minimally invasive incisions and short recovery times, this means patients will have to buy fewer bandages, less pain medication, and less topical medicines. A faster recovery means a patient can get back to normal daily activities such as work, visiting friends and family, and general exercise. The quicker your recovery and the more affordable it is, the quicker you can get back to normal life.
Recovery from Laparoscopic Surgery
After the surgery has been performed you will be monitored and observed for several hours prior to you being released from the hospital. The staff at the hospital will be monitoring you closely and checking for any reactions to the procedure or the anesthesia. They will monitor for any signs of bleeding. When you are to be signed out of the hospital depends on various reasons such as the type of anesthesia that was used, how your body has reacted to the surgical procedure, and your overall physical condition. Sometimes you may have to remain in the hospital overnight depending on your condition.
You may need a friend or a family member to drive you home. The general aesthetic generally wears off after several hours so it can be unsafe to drive. In the days after the procedure, you may feel throbbing and pain in the areas where the incisions were made. Any discomfort or pain will start to improve with a few days. To relieve your pain and discomfort your doctor could prescribe you with pain medication. Within a week you can usually resume normal daily activities. A follow-up appointment is needed about two weeks after with your doctor.