Laparoscopic Surgery Specialist

What is minimally-invasive surgery?

Minimally-invasive surgery uses smaller incisions and special instruments designed to be used through small openings in order to perform many types of surgery. Many types of minimally-invasive surgery use a laparoscope, a special instrument with a tiny camera on the end, allowing the doctor to see the surgical site without the need for a larger incision. Images captured by the laparoscope are sent to a monitor for viewing.

What are the benefits of minimally-invasive surgery?

Minimally-invasive surgery offers several benefits:

• Smaller incisions are associated with less tissue damage, less bleeding and a lower risk of infection.
• Recovery tends to be faster - sometimes significantly so - compared to traditional surgery.
• Patients tend to experience less discomfort during recovery compared to traditional surgery.
• Many minimally-invasive surgeries can be performed as outpatient procedures, requiring no hospital stays; when a hospital stay is required, it tends to be a shorter stay compared to the stay required following a traditional surgery.

How is minimally-invasive surgery performed?

Minimally-invasive surgery begins with several small incisions near the surgical site to enable the laparoscope and other instruments to be inserted. Once the incisions are made, the laparoscope is advanced to the surgical site and images are projected onto the screen. Other incisions are used to admit the surgical instruments so the surgery can be performed. The length of the surgery depends on the procedure being performed. Once the surgery is complete, the incisions are closed and small bandages are placed over them. Laparoscopic procedures may also be used to diagnose some issues using only one incision to admit the scope.

Is laparoscopic surgery a good choice for me?

Laparoscopic surgery is widely used in abdominal surgery and other types of surgeries as well, but it’s not always the ideal choice. Prior to any surgery, each patient will be carefully evaluated to determine whether a minimally-invasive approach is appropriate or if a traditional approach is a better option.