Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery

What is Laparoscopic Surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery or “keyhole” surgery is a medical procedure where small incisions are made in the body allowing the surgeon to insert camera equipment to take a look inside your body and then to operate on affected areas in the abdomen.

What are the differences between this and conventional surgery?

The main difference is laparoscopic surgery uses a laparoscope (viewing camera) through a 10mm incision, in addition to up to three other 5-10mm incisions to perform an operation. This differs from open surgery in that for an open operation an incision is used that can be up to 25cm or 30cm long .

There are advantages to laparoscopic surgery including:

• Reduced bleeding.
• Reduced stress on the body.
• Reduced risk of wound infection.
• Reduced pain.
• Reduced risk of hernia formation.
• Recovery time after surgery is often shorter.

What is a laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

A cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of the gall bladder. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the removal of the gall bladder using keyhole surgery.

Jane performs laparoscopic surgery at Manuka Street Hospital, or Nelson Hospital.