Why is this procedure done?
A laparoscopy is a kind of surgery. Doctors make a few small cuts instead of one large cut. Laparoscopy most often has a shorter healing time. It also leaves only a few small scars. ‚
Your doctor may choose to do laparoscopy using a scope if: ‚
- The tumor or injury is small
- You have diabetes. It takes longer for people with diabetes to heal. You are less likely to get an infection with this kind of surgery.
- You have problems with your heart
- There is a problem with blood clotting. This kind of surgery lowers the chance of bleeding.
- You need to have spinal or regional anesthesia.
Doctors perform many kinds of surgery with a scope. This includes removal of a small tumor, part of an organ, or sometimes an entire organ. Doctors can treat injuries, drain infections, or remove blood clots. With this procedure, they can also take tissue samples to do lab testing. ‚
View OriginalView Original
What will the results be?
The doctor will perform the surgery that is needed for your disease or condition. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- If you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- If you are not feeling well. An infection from a cold or sore throat may raise the risk of infection.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an IV in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
- Sometimes, the doctor will give you a special drug to make you numb for the surgery. Other times, you are fully asleep.
- Your doctor will make 3 to 4 small cuts. A scope with a tiny camera is put through one of the small cuts to look at the area to be operated on. Your doctor will put small surgical tools into the holes to do the procedure. To be able to view the area, gas may be put in the site.
- Then, the doctor will perform the procedure. The doctor will cut, remove, or repair the organs or tissues inside.
- Your doctor will close your cut with stitches or staples and cover it with clean bandages.
- If tissue samples were taken, the doctor will send the sample to the lab.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room and the staff will watch you closely.
- The doctor may order x-rays, lab tests, or other tests to see how well you are recovering after surgery.
- The staff will help you start to walk around. Doing coughing and deep breathing exercises will help keep your lungs clear. You will get drugs to help with your pain.
- Your doctor will have you go home when you are ready. Sometimes, you can go home the same day. Other times, you may stay in the hospital for a few days or longer.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Some drugs may cause you to have a hard time going to the bathroom. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. Eat food with a lot of fiber to help keep your stools soft.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful lifting things
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
- Take daily walks unless your doctor tells you not to. This will help you feel better and prevent bad side effects from surgery.
- You may have pain in your shoulder if you had gas put into your belly area. This should go away in a day or two. Tell your doctor if the pain is very bad.
- Your belly area may feel bloated. This should go away in a few days.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
You may need to rest for a while. You should not do physical activity that makes your health problem worse. If you run, work out, or play sports, you may not be able to do those things until your health problem gets better. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Damage or injury to other organs, tissues
- Doctor has to finish procedure by making a large cut
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Pain that does not go away with the drugs you are taking
- Very bad belly or shoulder pain
- A large amount or worsening of swelling in your belly
- A new bulge from the site of a cut
- Pain when having a bowel movement or blood in the stool
- Trouble breathing
- Coughing up blood
- Dizziness
Where can I learn more?
American Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery ‚
http://www.aimis.org/what-is-minimally-invasive-surgery/ ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/question/medical/endoscopic.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚