Key takeaways:
Laparoscopic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery. This technique lets surgeons access the abdomen with only a few small incisions (cuts).
Benefits of laparoscopic surgery include less time in the hospital, faster recovery, and smaller scars.
Like all procedures, laparoscopic surgery has risks. But it can be a safe and effective way to diagnose and treat many conditions.
Laparoscopic surgery is a technique that allows surgeons to access the inside of the abdomen with only a few small incisions. It’s a type of minimally invasive surgery — “minimal” since it requires smaller incisions. Compare this to open surgery, which involves bigger incisions (and bigger scars).
During laparoscopic surgery, surgeons make three to four small incisions in the skin on the belly. They insert a tiny camera with a light (a laparoscope) and other surgical tools through the holes. Then the surgeon fills the abdomen with gas (like a balloon) so there’s room to look around and operate.
Laparoscopic surgery comes with several benefits. Not all surgeries can be done laparoscopically, but it’s often the preferred surgery type when possible. In this article, we discuss the basics of laparoscopic surgery, including when and why it’s done along with the risks and benefits.
When is laparoscopic surgery performed?
Surgeons perform laparoscopic surgery to diagnose or treat certain medical conditions.
Diagnosis
Laparoscopy is when surgeons use only the laparoscope. It lets them look directly inside the abdomen. Imaging tests, like CT scans and MRIs, can provide a lot of information about what’s going on inside the body, but they aren’t perfect. Sometimes, physically taking a look is the best option. For example, the diagnosis of endometriosis, a common cause of lower abdominal pain in women, often relies on laparoscopy.
Surgeons also use laparoscopy for biopsy. Biopsy involves taking a small piece of tissue and looking at it under the microscope in order to diagnose a disease. Cancer, for example, requires a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and figure out exactly which type of cancer it is. Laparoscopy allows surgeons to find a good spot to biopsy and perform the procedure.
Treatment
Surgeons also use laparoscopic surgery for, you guessed it, surgery. For example, treatment of appendicitis (removal of the appendix) and many gallbladder issues (removal of the gallbladder) are commonly done via laparoscopic surgery. The list of surgeries that surgeons can perform this way continues to grow as experts develop new techniques.
What are the benefits of laparoscopic surgery?
Laparoscopic surgery has many benefits compared to open surgery. That’s why surgeons often prefer it when possible.
Benefits of laparoscopic surgery include:
Smaller scars
Less pain and less pain medication
Less bleeding
Less time in the hospital
Faster recovery and return to everyday activities
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What are the risks of laparoscopic surgery?
All surgeries come with potential risks and complications, and laparoscopic surgery is no exception. Risks like infections and bleeding exist for all types of surgery. But laparoscopic surgery has a few unique risks related to incorrectly inserting the laparoscope and surgical tools into the abdomen. These only occur in 1% of cases.
Examples include:
Injuries to the internal organs (like the bowels or bladder)
Injuries to blood vessels, which can cause internal bleeding
Bruising of the belly (hematoma)
It’s worth noting that injuries to organs and blood vessels can occur during other types of surgery, too.
Inflating the abdomen with gas (which does not happen in open surgery) can also cause problems. Bloating and shoulder pain are common after laparoscopy, but this is temporary. More serious complications can occur in people with severe heart and lung disease. That’s why medical professionals only offer laparoscopic surgery to people for whom it’s safe.
If a complication occurs during laparoscopic surgery, an open surgery may be necessary.
Talk to your surgeon before surgery. Ask questions until you feel comfortable with the plan. Don’t worry about asking too many! Healthcare providers are legally required to make sure you understand the procedure, risks, benefits, and potential complications.
Is laparoscopic surgery safer than open surgery?
At this time, there’s no straight answer to this question. The risks vary depending on the type of surgery, age, and health problems of the person having surgery. The surgeon’s level of experience also plays a role.
Who is eligible for laparoscopic surgery?
It depends. Not all procedures can be performed laparoscopically. And for some people, an open surgery might be a safer option. There are many factors to consider when deciding the best approach. So it’s best to talk with your surgeon about your options.
How long does it take to recover from laparoscopic surgery?
As with open surgery, recovery depends on several factors, including the:
Reason for the surgery
Age of the person and their health problems
Occurrence of any complications during the surgery
For some, recovery might be 1 to 2 weeks. For others, it might take longer. Your surgeon will be able to give you the best estimate of recovery time after your surgery is over.
When should you call your doctor after laparoscopic surgery?
People who have laparoscopic surgery may leave the hospital sooner than people who have open surgery. Some can even go home the same day! So it’s important to know what to look out for after you leave.
The following symptoms might mean something isn’t right:
Fever or chills
Severe or worsening abdominal pain
Worsening redness, pain, bleeding, or drainage from incision sites
Persistent nausea and/or vomiting
Pain or swelling in one of your legs (a symptom of a blood clot)
Rapid onset of shortness of breath (a symptom of a blood clot in the lungs)
If you experience any of these symptoms — or you’re simply worried that something isn’t right — call your doctor. They’ll either reassure you that everything is OK or figure out the next best steps to keep you healthy.
The bottom line
All surgeries — including laparoscopic surgery — come with potential risks and complications. Laparoscopic surgery can be a great option to both diagnose and treat many conditions. Discuss your options with your surgeon — and ask questions. As a team, you’ll find the best type of procedure for you.
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References
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Daniels, J. (2018). Reducing post-laparoscopy shoulder pain: Are simple strategies enough? BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology.
Henry, M. M., et al. (2001). Clinical surgery.
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). After surgery: Discomforts and complications.
Krishnakumar, S., et al. (2009). Entry complications in laparoscopic surgery. Journal of Gynecological and Endoscopic Surgery.
Molloy, D., et al. (2002). Laparoscopic entry: A literature review and analysis of techniques and complications of primary port entry. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
National Health Services. (2018). Laparoscopy.
National Health Services. (2021). Biopsy.
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