Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is a type of surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to access the inside of the abdomen and pelvis without having to make large incisions in the skin.
This procedure is also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery. 3 small incisions are made, around your belly button, in which a camera will be placed, and another 2 incisions at the left and right of your abdomen for ports.
Laparoscopic surgery offers the surgeon better vision through magnification. It offers the patient several advantages, including a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery time, and a lower risk of infection and blood loss. Various gynaecological procedures can be done laparoscopically, such as:
- Excision of endometriosis (both mild and severe cases)
- Hysterectomy (with or without the removal of ovaries)
- Myomectomy (removal of fibroids)
- Excision of ovarian cysts
- Removal of ovaries or ovarian remnants
- Reversal of sterilisations
- Correction of a retroverted uterus
- Laparoscopic Sacrocolposuspension
Laparoscopy Expectations:
A laparoscopy requires general anaesthesia, and depending on the extent of surgery required can last minutes or hours.
Depending on the type of stitches used, you’ll be required to either have them removed by your surgeon or they may dissolve on their own.
This is classified as a day procedure which means patients will go home the same day as their surgery.
Patients may experience:
- Shoulder pain due to the CO2 gas used to inflate the abdomen, which has the same nerve supply as the shoulder which irritates the diaphragm.
- Abdominal bloating.
- Nausea (if experienced, please contact your surgeon immediately).
- Abdominal pain (if experienced, please contact your surgeon immediately).
Patients usually require 2 to 3 days of recuperation and are not advised to attend work. Medication for pain will be prescribed and an antibiotic.
It’s important to note that with any laparoscopic procedure, your recovery should be better with each day.
Dr Wynand E. van Tonder
Specialist Obstetrician Gynaecologist
Sub-specialist Reproductive Medicine
MB ChB (Stell) | FCOG (SA) | MMed O&G (UFS) | MRep Med (Valencia Spain) | MGyn Endo Surg (AITAS) | Minimally Invasive Gynaecological Surgeon (GESEA)
Contact us
Tel: +27 11 463 4833
Emergency: +27 11 321 0111
reception@drwynandvantonder.co.za
reception2@drwynandvantonder.co.za
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Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is a type of surgical procedure that allows a surgeon to access the inside of the abdomen and pelvis without having to make large incisions in the skin.
This procedure is also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery. 3 small incisions are made, around your belly button, in which a camera will be placed, and another 2 incisions at the left and right of your abdomen for ports.
Laparoscopic surgery offers the surgeon better vision through magnification. It offers the patient several advantages, including a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery time, and a lower risk of infection and blood loss. Various gynaecological procedures can be done laparoscopically, such as:
- Excision of endometriosis (both mild and severe cases)
- Hysterectomy (with or without the removal of ovaries)
- Myomectomy (removal of fibroids)
- Excision of ovarian cysts
- Removal of ovaries or ovarian remnants
- Reversal of sterilisations
- Correction of a retroverted uterus
- Laparoscopic Sacrocolposuspension
Laparoscopy Expectations:
A laparoscopy requires general anaesthesia, and depending on the extent of surgery required can last minutes or hours.
Depending on the type of stitches used, you’ll be required to either have them removed by your surgeon or they may dissolve on their own.
This is classified as a day procedure which means patients will go home the same day as their surgery.
Patients may experience:
- Shoulder pain due to the CO2 gas used to inflate the abdomen, which has the same nerve supply as the shoulder which irritates the diaphragm.
- Abdominal bloating.
- Nausea (if experienced, please contact your surgeon immediately).
- Abdominal pain (if experienced, please contact your surgeon immediately).
Patients usually require 2 to 3 days of recuperation and are not advised to attend work. Medication for pain will be prescribed and an antibiotic.
It’s important to note that with any laparoscopic procedure, your recovery should be better with each day.