Thanks to advancements in technology, more and more people needing surgery have another option when it comes to the procedure they need. Laparoscopy is a form of surgery which is less invasive than open or traditional surgery, since it involves just a few small cuts as opposed to one large cut or incision. But exactly why is laparoscopic surgery becoming more popular, and why are more patients opting for it? Here are the real benefits of laparoscopy to know about.
What is laparoscopy?
As mentioned, laparoscopy is a relatively new form of surgery for different conditions, such as gallstones, inguinal hernia, gastro-esophageal reflux, and more. Laparoscopy is also referred to as minimally invasive surgery or keyhole surgery, and some people even refer to it as ‘band aid’ surgery.
With laparoscopy, a surgeon makes use of a laparoscope, which is a long and flexible instrument or tube that can be connected or linked to a video camera. The tip of the instrument is inserted by the surgeon into a small cut or incision in a patient, and by using a video monitor, the surgeon can see inside the patient’s body and guide the laparoscope to the bodily organ which needs treatment.
Some other small cuts or incisions can be made, depending on the type of surgery required. The surgeon can then insert other small instruments into these incisions in order to hold and cut, staple, or suture. Once the surgery is completed, the incisions are closed and can then be covered with small bandages, hence the name ‘band aid’ surgery.
The real benefits of laparoscopy
But why is laparoscopy increasingly becoming the preferred mostly these days? Well, the most popular benefit of laparoscopy is its non-invasiveness compared to traditional or open surgery. Surgeons who are experts in laparoscopy, such as the laparoscopic surgery London specialists from the London Surgical Group, have received more training and have more skill than a surgeon who performs only open or traditional surgery.
Another benefit for patients is that laparoscopy offers a quicker and faster recovery compared to open surgery. In fact, in some procedures, a patient can go home the same day, particularly if the procedure is performed in the morning. Patients who undergo laparoscopy also have smaller scars, and the risk of extreme loss of blood during the procedure is greatly reduced, as is the risk of infection, since the incisions are much smaller compared to the incisions made for open or traditional surgery. Patients also experience less pain with laparoscopy since the cuts are smaller, and they can return to their daily activities sooner.
