Today’s surgeons perform complex procedures using just tiny incisions — thanks to laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique that has transformed the landscape of gynaecological care. Here, you will learn why this innovative technique cannot be ignored and how it has revolutionised surgeries.
Laparoscopy in gynaecological treatment is an innovative surgical technique instead of open surgery. Small incisions allow the insertion of a laparoscope — a thin, lighted tube with a camera — to view and operate inside the pelvic area. Whereas in an open surgery, a large incision on the stomach is needed. Laparoscopy can be used for diagnostic purposes and as a type of treatment. With tiny instruments, your healthcare provider can perform many gynaecological surgeries with a short recovery time.
Laparoscopic surgery offers women noninvasive surgery with a significant effect on gynaecology procedures, fewer complications and a quick recovery time. Let’s have a quick view of the history and evolution of gynaecological laparoscopic surgery.
The concept of laparoscopy was started by a surgeon from Germany, Georg Kelling, in the early 1900s. Georg Kelling conducted the first procedure on a dog, and later on, another surgeon from Sweden, Hans Christian Jacobaeus, performed the first laparoscopic surgery on a human, paving the way for future generations.
Laparoscopic surgery gained popularity in gynaecology by the 1960s. Advancements in camera technology and fibre optics helped improve the quality of imaging of reproductive organs. German Kurt Semm became a pioneering gynaecologist who used laparoscopy for surgeries like hysterectomies and the treatment of ectopic pregnancies.
Laparoscopy became accepted as a standard surgical procedure in gynaecology in the early 1990s due to technological advancements and surgeon expertise. It became widespread as people started to prefer minimally invasive procedures as their confidence in medical improvements grew.
Today, laparoscopy is the gold standard in gynaecological surgeries. With many advancements in minimally invasive technologies and robot-assisted laparoscopy, women prefer it over other procedures.
● Rise of popularity: The past few decades have seen an increase in laparoscopic surgeries for women’s health. While laparoscopic techniques were new in the 1990s, they became the preferred surgery method for surgeons and patients for gynaecological surgeries in the 2000s.
● Technological advancements: Better lighting devices, HD cameras and the latest surgical instruments have made this surgery safe and effective. The addition of robotic-assisted surgery using laparoscopy has helped more precision, further refining the technique.
● Expertise: Gynaecologists are now skilled in this type of surgery, and because of this, the number of surgeries using this technique is rapidly growing. Training programmes for healthcare providers emphasise minimally invasive surgeries, ensuring that next-generation surgeons have the skill and expertise.
● Minimally invasive: Small incisions mean reduced trauma and quicker recovery.
● High precision: HD cameras and specialised tools allow accurate targeting and fewer complications.
● Less pain: Smaller cuts, less pain and less discomfort post-surgery. Patients recover faster from this surgery, allowing them to return to routines quicker than traditional surgery.
● Less scarring: Laparoscopic surgery reduces the worry of scars as only tiny incisions are made. Minimal scarring makes this ideal for those worried about their appearance post-surgery.
● Shorter stays: Many procedures are outpatient or require minimal recovery time.
● Versatility: This surgical procedure can be used for many procedures, ranging from hernia repair and gallbladder removal to complex digestive system surgeries. Because of its versatility, it has become a technique of standard care.
Laparoscopy is a technique that is used for treatment, diagnosis or both. Gynaecological reasons for its diagnostic use are:
● Inexplicable pelvic pain
● Inexplicable fertility issues
● Pelvic infection history
It can be used to diagnose the following conditions:
● Uterine fibroids
● Endometriosis
● Tumours or ovarian cysts
● Pelvic inflammatory diseases
● Scar tissue or pelvic adhesions
● Reproductive cancers
● Fertility issues
● Ovaries removal
● Uterus removal or hysterectomy
● Ovarian cysts removal
● Fibroids removal
● Cutting blood flow to the fibroids
● Endometrial treatment called endometrial tissue ablation
● Adhesion removal
● Tubal ligation, which is reversing contraceptive surgery
● Surgery for incontinence, called the Burch procedure
● Treatment for prolapsed uterus
While laparoscopic surgery is generally safe, like any procedure, it comes with potential risks — although complications are rare. Some of them are:
● Nerve damage
● Damage to the uterus, bowel, bladder, belly blood vessels and other pelvic organs
● Blood clots
● Urination problems
● Allergic reactions
● Adhesions
Conditions that enhance complication risks are:
● Being thin
● Obesity
● Previous stomach surgery
● Pelvic infection
● Extreme endometriosis
● Long-term bowel disease
Once the surgery is done, vital signals are monitored, and you will stay in the hospital until you recover from anaesthesia. Recovery from this procedure depends on what is done, and you may be free to leave a few hours after surgery. The belly button may be tender after surgery, and there may be bruises on the belly. There may be shoulder, chest and stomach pain due to gas, and you may feel nausea for the rest of the day.
The doctor may recommend antibiotics and pain medication, and based on the procedure performed, you may be asked to rest for days or weeks. In a month or more, you can return to your routine. Call your doctor for:
● Severe abdominal pain
● Prolonged vomiting and nausea
● 101°F or higher fever
● Pain during bowel movements or urination
The results of laparoscopic surgeries are good as the technology allows surgeons to see and diagnose problems quickly. A shorter recovery time adds to its benefits.
Laparoscopic gynaecology is not a trend but a revolution in surgery. Whether it is a complex or a minor procedure, the benefits of this innovative technique make it a compelling choice. So, if you are contemplating it, there is not much to worry about.
The benefits of laparoscopic surgery over open surgery are that it is minimally invasive, high precision, less pain, less scarring, shorter hospital stay and faster recovery.
Fibroids, endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, and urinary incontinence are some common gynaecological conditions that can be treated with laparoscopic surgery.
Recovery depends on the procedure and ranges from 1 to 2 weeks for a minor procedure and about 4 weeks for a complex procedure like a hysterectomy.
