Digestive System

Almost every kind of doctor who performs surgery may use minimally invasive methods for some kinds of operations. Obsterictians and gynecologists often use laparoscopy to diagnose and treat women’s health problems. General surgeons may use laparoscopy for gallbladder disease. Orthopedic surgeons perform minimally invasive procedures to repair the knee and other joints. Trauma surgeons may […]

For laparoscopy, the patient is usually given a general anesthesia and is unconscious during the operation. General anesthesia relaxes muscles and makes it easier for the doctor to perform the surgery. Some procedures, however, are done with a local anesthetic to numb the immediate area of the body where the incisions will be made. The

Individuals scheduled for laparoscopy usually visit the doctor’s office before the operation to discuss the procedure in detail. During the visit, the doctor should fully explain the procedure, what will be done and why, the risks, and how you will benefit from the procedure. The doctor also should answer questions about the procedure. Tests may

The procedure depends on several factors, including the area of the body, the disease, the patient’s condition, and whether the operation is to diagnose or treat. Minimally invasive surgery on the knee, for instance, is much different than surgery on the abdomen. A typical laparoscopic gallbladder operation usually involves the following steps: The doctor makes a small

Complications after laparoscopic surgery are rare. Most people recover quickly and resume their normal activities without problems. However, the risk of infection or other problems exists as with any kind of surgery. There may be some soreness near the incisions, especially when twisting or stretching the body. If a breathing tube was used for the

Individuals who have laparoscopic surgery should carefully follow their doctors’ instructions after going home. The exact kind of care needed depends on the type of surgery, the individual’s age and general health, and other factors. In general, people recovering from laparoscopic surgery should care for their incision as directed by the doctor, be cautious about

Recovery time depends on the kind of procedure, the patient’s age, and health before the procedure. The following is a normal timetable for recovery from minimally invasive surgery on the abdomen: The groggy feeling from the anesthetic disappears the day after surgery and the individual is fully alert once again. Any pain in the shoulders

New developments in minimally invasive surgery should result in operations that are even easier on the patient and the treatment of a wider range of diseases. In the future, minimally invasive surgery will: Use even smaller incisions that heal faster with almost invisible scars. The standard laparoscope is about one-half inch in diameter. Newer micro-laparoscopes

Here are some frequently asked questions related to laparoscopy: Q: I’m confused about the medical terms forminimally invasive surgery and the traditional open operations. Which is which? A: Laparoscopy means surgery on the abdominal area using a laparoscope. This is minimally invasive, or Band-Aid, surgery, which uses small incisions. Laparotomy is the term for the traditional open surgery

Like any other kind of surgery, laparoscopy requires a skilled doctor who does enough procedures every week to maintain and build surgical skills. Generally, a doctor’s skills increase with the number of operations that he or she performs. The nurses and other individuals who assist with the operation and care for the patient right after

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to laparoscopy: Laparoscopy is surgery on the abdomen performed through very small incisions in the body. It is used to diagnose and treat many different conditions and diseases. Doctors perform laparoscopy with a pencil-thin instrument called a laparoscope. It has a strong light and a

Here are definitions of medical terms related to laparoscopy: Anesthesiologist: a doctor who administers anesthetics and monitors the patient’s condition until surgery is completed Anesthesia: absence of sensation, especially artificially induced blockage of pain during surgery Anesthetic: a drug that blocks the sensation of pain during surgery Appendix: a finger-shaped tube of tissue (vermiform appendix) between the large and