Laparoscopy

By: Bradley G. Goldberg, M.D.

Laparoscopy has revolutionized surgical practices throughout the world. First performed using simple instruments by a Swedish physician in 1910, it has since developed into a technologically advanced surgical procedure.

Laparoscopy literally means "to look inside the abdomen". It is a surgical procedure sometimes referred to by patients as "belly-button surgery". The procedure involves placing a telescope-like instrument through a small, usually ½ inch, incision in the abdomen. If necessary, other small incisions can be made to place additional instruments that may be needed to complete the surgery.

The laparoscope is then attached to a high-resolution TV monitor so that the surgeon and their assistants can complete the procedure. Laparoscopy is usually performed on an outpatient basis, which means that the patient can go home a few hours after the surgery. In addition, recovery times are much shorter than when large abdominal incisions are performed.

It was not until the early 1970’s that laparoscopy first started to be widely utilized by physicians in the United States. At that time, its use was confined mainly to surgery for female sterilization. With the 1980’s came the advent of fiber optics, laser, and other advanced instrumentation that allowed for more widespread applications of this revolutionary procedure.

Currently their are numerous indications for laparoscopy in both gynecologic surgery and general surgery. Modern uses of laparoscopy include the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic pain in women, treatment of ovarian cysts, appendectomies, gallbladder surgery, hysterectomy and many others.

In summary, the advent of laparoscopy has been an exciting part of modern medicine. It allows patients to return home on the same day of surgery, and to recover in days instead of weeks or months. Although the uses of laparoscopy are growing every day, it is still not for everyone. Your doctor will help you to decide which procedure is best for you.

Bibliography:

1.  Te Linde’s Operative Gynecology, Eighth Edition, Rock, J.R., and Thompson, J.D., Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1997.

2.  Novak’s Gynecology, Twelfth Edition, Jonathan S. Berek, MD, Williams &Wilkins, Baltimore, 1996.

3.  Operative Laparoscopy, Second Edition, Sonderstrom, R.M., Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1998.

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