Digestive System

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

Laparoscopy (pronounced “lap-a-ROSS-coe-pee”) is a surgical procedure performed through very small incisions in the abdomen, using specialized instruments. A pencil-thin instrument called a laparoscope is used, and it gives the surgeon an exceptionally clear view, on a TV monitor, of the inside of the abdominal cavity. A laparoscope has lenses like a telescope to magnify body structures, 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

Laparoscopy can be used either to diagnose or to treat various conditions. Or it may be used to identify a problem and treat it in the same operation. Diagnostic laparoscopy allows the doctor to look at structures inside the abdomen and see whether they appear normal or abnormal. It becomes valuable when physical examinations, lab tests,

Dozens of different kinds of operations are now being done using these new minimally invasive techniques. These include operations on the abdomen, heart, reproductive organs, nerves, ear, nose, sinuses, throat, joints, chest organs, urinary tract, and blood vessels. These techniques are also used in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Minimally invasive surgery may be an appropriate

Laparoscopy is easier on the patient because it uses a few very small incisions. For example, traditional “open surgery” on the abdomen usually requires a four- to five-inch incision through layers of skin and muscle. In laparoscopic surgery, the doctor usually makes two to three incisions that are about a half-inch long. The smaller incisions

Since laparoscopy involves minimal damage to body tissues, it is generally safer than open operations. In diagnostic laparoscopy, for instance, complications occur in about three out of every 1,000 operations, a significantly lower number than traditional surgery. A complication is an unforeseen problem that occurs during or after surgery, such as internal bleeding or injury

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