What makes laparoscopy or key hole surgery more patient friendly in women?

Gynaecologic laparoscopy or key hole surgery is an alternative to open surgery for many conditions. It uses an instrument called a laparoscope to look inside your pelvic area. Open surgery often requires a large incision and is associated with more chances of infections, more recovery time and longer hospital stay.

A laparoscope is a slender, lighted telescope, which allows your doctor to see inside your body. Diagnostic laparoscopy can determine whether you have conditions such as endometriosis or fibroids. It can also be a form of treatment in the same sittings. With miniaturized instruments, your doctor can perform a variety of surgeries. These include:

• Ovarian cyst removal
• Fibroid removal also called myomectomy
• Uterus removal called as hysterectomy
• Tubal blockage correction
• Endometriosis treating surgeries
• Surgery to diagnose & treat infertility
• Ectopic pregnancy management
• Hysteroscopic polypectomy
• Hysteroscopic uterine septum correction
• Removal of misplaced IUCD
• Hysteroscopic evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding
• Hysteroscopic removal of fibroid
• Fertility enhancing laparo-hysteroscopy

Laparoscopic procedure generally has a shorter healing time than open surgery. It also leaves smaller scars. A gynaecologist must be trained in laparoscopic procedures, is the best choice to perform these procedures.

Reasons for Gynaecological Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy can be used for diagnosis, treatment, or both. A diagnostic procedure can sometimes be turned into a treatment procedure.

Some reasons for diagnostic laparoscopy are:

• Unexplained pelvic pain
• Unexplained infertility
• History of repeated pelvic infection

Conditions that might be diagnosed and treated using laparoscopy include:

• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Ovarian cysts
• Ectopic pregnancy

• Pelvic abscess, or pus
• Pelvic adhesions, or painful scar tissue
• Infertility
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Reproductive cancers

Some types of laparoscopic treatment include:

• Hysterectomy , or removal of the uterus
• Removal of ovaries
• Removal of ovarian cysts
• Removal of fibroids
• Endometrial tissue ablation, which is a treatment for endometriosis
• Adhesion removal
• Tuboplasty, or restoration of tubal anatomy

Preparing for Gynaecologic Laparoscopy

Preparation depends on the type of surgery. You may need imaging tests in addition to blood tests. You may be advised to fast overnight and take an enema to reduce anaesthesia complication.

Tell your doctor about any medication you take. This includes over-the-counter drugs and supplements. You may need to stop them before the procedure.

Ask a friend/relative to come pick you up after the surgery or schedule a car service. You will not be allowed to drive yourself.

You may require overnight hospitalisation, or stay for few days in certain procedures.

Recovery after Laparoscopy

Once the procedure is over, nurses will monitor your vital signs. You’ll stay in recovery until the anaesthesia wears off. You will not be discharged until you can urinate on your own.

Recovery time varies. It depends on what procedure was performed and anaesthesia used. You may be free to go home a few hours after surgery or have to stay in the hospital for one or more nights.

After surgery, your belly button might be tender. There may be bruises on your stomach. The gas inside you can make your chest, middle, and shoulders ache. There’s also a chance that you’ll feel nauseated for the rest of the day.

Before you go home, your doctor will give you instructions on how to manage possible side effects. Your doctor may prescribe pain medication or antibiotics to prevent an infection.

Depending on the surgery, you may be told to rest for a few days or weeks. It may take a month or more to return to normal activities.

The best team at Apollo Spectra Hospital at Kailash Colony

Dr. Priya Shukla and Dr. Ruchi Tandon are a team of award winning, internationally accredited Gynaecological laparoscopic surgeons. They are currently providing their services at Apollo Spectra, Kailash Colony, Delhi. They have more than 14 years of experience in Gynaecological laparoscopy and cosmetic Gynaecology procedures. They specialise in all newer technologies and have recently introduced use of LASER in operative Gynaecology.