Keyhole surgery can be used to treat certain conditions, often with the help of additional instruments inserted through further tiny cuts made in the wall of the abdomen. Laparoscopic surgery (or minimally-invasive surgery) is also often referred to as laparoscopy surgery.
An increasing number of problems that used to require major surgery can now be treated with keyhole surgery.
Keyhole surgery is commonly used by gynaecologists (specialists in conditions affecting the female reproductive system) to perform procedures such as:
- female sterilisation (having your fallopian tubes ‘tied’ or clipped as a permanent form of contraception)
- hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
- removal of ovarian cysts
- treatment of ectopic pregnancy (where a pregnancy implants outside the uterus – most often ectopic pregnancies occur in a fallopian tube)
Common non-gynaecological laparoscopic operations include the following:
- Removal of the gallbladder (called laparoscopic cholecystectomy), which is a very common procedure and is usually done to treat people with gallstones that are causing problems
- Removal of the appendix (appendicectomy) to treat appendicitis
- Weight loss surgery (also known as bariatric surgery) such as laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
- Hernia repairs
When to contact your doctor after a laparoscopy?
You should contact your doctor if any of the following symptoms develop after having a laparoscopy:
- persistent or worsening pain after a few days
- new abdominal pain
- nausea or vomiting
- fever
- fainting or feel light-headed
- redness, swelling, discharge or bleeding at the wound site(s)
- difficulty urinating
If you need help with keyhole surgery related issues, kindly contact us at our Petaling Jaya branch.