How Have Laparoscopic Processes Changed the Face of Surgery?

Understanding laparoscopic procedures

When a patient is confronted with the necessity of having a surgical procedure, a surgeon may suggest that laparoscopic procedures are preferable to previous, modes of surgical intervention. Many patients do not understand what laparoscopy entails or how different laparoscopic procedures may be of benefit. Surgeons suggest that laparoscopic procedures have definitely changed the face of surgery in a positive direction, over the years.

When did laparoscopic surgery originate?

With the initial laparoscopic surgery on dogs, in 1902, by George Kelling, of Dresden, Saxony, it became apparent that this method of surgery would also be beneficial to human beings. In the year 1910, Hans Christian Jacobaeus of Sweden performed the first laparoscopic procedure on a human being. (1)

Gradually laparoscopic procedures have continued to evolve over time. During the following years, the initial laparoscopic procedures on human beings were primarily diagnostic and gynecologic.

The introduction of the computer chip television camera enabled surgeons to see a magnified view of the operative area, on a monitor and it freed their hands as well, allowing more complex procedures to be carried out. In 1990, the laparoscopic chip applier, with twenty automatically advancing clips was introduced. Until that time, only a single clip had been used. This made laparoscopic surgery, the preferable method for gallbladder surgery. (2)

What is laparoscopic surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery is commonly referred to as minimally invasive surgery, band-aid surgery or key-hole surgery, because it is performed through an incision of .5-1.5 cm. It is used for surgery in either the pelvic cavity or the abdomen. Key-hole surgery involves the thoracic or chest cavity. (3)

What is a laparoscope?

A laparoscope is a telescopic lens system connected to a video camera or a digital laparoscope with a charge-coupled device. A fiber optic system gives a cold light source needed for visualization. CO2 is used to enlarge the operative area. (4)

How is laparoscopic surgery performed?

For gallbladder surgery, using four incisions, 5-10 mm instruments are inserted through tubes directly into the abdominal cavity. The bile is suctioned out and the gallbladder is removed through a 1 cm incision, at the navel. For other kinds of surgery that involve the bowel or kidney, a larger incision may be needed to remove an organ or part of it. This may also require a hand-assist, where a hand is inserted into the body cavity. (5)

When is laparoscopic surgery used?

Laparoscopic surgery is used for gastrointestinal and gynecologic surgery, as well as urology. It may be used for surgery involving morbid obesity and cancer of the colon. It is the preferred method of treatment for Gamete intra-fallopian transfer. (6)

What are the advantages of laparoscopic surgery?

Advantages to laparoscopic surgery may include the following: minimal length of stay in hospital, same day discharge, minimum amount of post-operative pain, shorter recovery time, reduction in post-op infections, reduced likelihood of hemorrhage, less pain medication required, reduction of exposure and contamination of organs, decreased likelihood of post-op hernias and less scarring of tissue (7)

What are the risks involved in laparoscopic procedures?

Any kind of surgery involves a certain degree of risk and uncertainty, as until there is actual surgical intervention, a surgeon does not know exactly what he or she will find with a laparoscope. There may be times when an organ or a part of an organ has to be removed, through a larger incision.

Other risks related to laparoscope procedures may include the following: possible injury to blood vessels or organs, electrical burns, hypothermia from cold gases, complications related to pulmonary disorders, phrenic nerve pain in shoulder area if the CO2 is not absorbed properly, problems related to coagulation disorders, possible adhesions and difficulty walking for several days (8)

While laparoscopic procedures involve a degree of risk, this appears to be the surgical method preferred by surgeons and patients. In the future, expect to see more technological advances that will change the face of surgery even further, for the benefit of humankind.

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laparoscopic

(2) Ibid.

(3) Ibid.

(4) Ibid.

(5) Ibid.

(6) Ibid.

(7) Ibid.

(8) Ibid.