Laparoscopic or “minimally invasive” surgery is a technique for performing surgery. In traditional “open” surgery the surgeon uses a single large incision to enter into the abdomen. Laparoscopic surgery involves several 0.5-1cm incisions. Each incision is called a “port.” Specialized instruments and a special camera known as a laparoscope are passed through the trochars during the procedure. At the beginning of the procedure, the abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to provide a working and viewing space for the surgeon. The laparoscope transmits images from the abdominal cavity to a high-resolution video monitor in the operating room. This system allows the surgeon to perform the same operations as traditional surgery but with smaller incisions.
Compared to traditional open surgery, patients often experience less pain, a shorter recovery, and less scarring with laparoscopic surgery.
Laparoscopic surgery is as safe as traditional open surgery. At the beginning of a laparoscopic operation the laparoscope is inserted through a small incision near the belly button (umbilicus). The surgeon initially inspects the abdomen to determine whether laparoscopic surgery may be safely performed.
