Laparoscopic Surgery: Risks, Benefits, and Recovery

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.

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Written by:

Samantha C. Shapiro, MD

Samantha Shapiro, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist and internist with expertise in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. She founded the division of rheumatology at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.

Edited by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined her interests in clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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