Surgical techniques have been evolving to become less and less invasive, something that benefits the patient who must undergo surgery. Dr. Suárez Guijarro, expert in Digestive System, talks about the advantages of laparoscopy as a surgical technique.
Laparoscopy is a technique that consists of approaching the abdominal cavity with an optic in order to be able to explore it. With the improvement of technology, this technique evolved to the current video-laparoscopy (access with a camera) or minimally invasive surgery.
Laparoscopic technique
The approach to the interior of the abdomen is performed through small incisions of between 5 and 10 mm in the abdominal wall through which an optic, connected by a fiber cable to a television monitor, and various surgical instruments are introduced. In addition, it is necessary to insufflate gas inside the abdomen, usually CO2, to create a space in the peritoneal cavity to improve the vision and movement of the forceps to be used.
Thus, the equipment necessary to perform laparoscopic surgery consists of an optic, a camera, a light source, a monitor, a gas insufflator, a series of trocars (or access cannulas) in variable number and the appropriate instruments for the technique to be performed.
What are the advantages of laparoscopic surgery?
The main advantages are those derived from smaller incisions in the abdominal wall, as well as less trauma generated in the manipulation of the peritoneum and abdominal viscera. These are:
– Less postoperative pain.
– Quick recovery.
– Smaller scars.
– Less formation of incisional hernias.
– Less formation of adhesions.
In addition, it improves in many cases the visualization of the operative field, given the resolution of current vision equipment and the magnification of the image.
Applications of laparoscopic surgery
At present, most abdominal surgical procedures in the specialties of general and digestive system surgery, gynecology and urology can be performed laparoscopically. In general surgery, laparoscopy began with cholecystectomy and was progressively extended to surgery of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, appendix, hernias, adrenal glands and more recently liver and pancreatic resections. All applicable for the treatment of both benign and malignant pathologies.