| Before we talk about treatment, let's start with a discussion about the human body and about your medical condition.
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Your doctor has recommended a laparoscopic surgical procedure either to aid in diagnosis |
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or to treat a medical problem in your abdomen - the area between your chest and groin. But what does that actually mean? |
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A laparoscope is a narrow tube |
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that contains a light source and a small video camera. |
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Using a laparoscope the surgeon is able to operate |
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by making one or more very small incisions . . . through which the sterile laparoscope, and possibly other instruments, are inserted into the body. |
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Using the laparoscope's video camera, the surgeon is able to explore and inspect the interior of the abdomen - often allowing the surgeon to see with greater detail and with more clarity than with the human eye alone. |
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Non laparoscopic surgery means making an incision large enough |
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to allow the surgeon to see the entire operative field |
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- as well as to fit his or her hands and instruments into the area of the human body on which the operation is being performed. |
| Laparoscopic surgery benefits the patient because it is almost always less invasive than traditional surgery - which means that it reduces post-operative discomfort, causes less scarring and can dramatically speed both recovery and healing. |
