Laparoscopy, also called laparoscopy, is a closed-belly surgery in which a surgeon uses a camera, such as a laparoscope, to examine the inside of the abdomen. The surgeon may also use specific instruments to test or treat certain gynaecological conditions.
Historical dates of laparoscopy
Shoulder painSurgical laparoscopy, which involves performing surgery as if the belly were open, is different from diagnostic laparoscopy, which allows you to see inside the belly. It was Professor Palmer who invented diagnostic laparoscopy in France in 1946. It was also a Frenchman, Philippe Mouret, who invented surgical laparoscopy in 1972. This is a real technological revolution, as it allows surgery without opening the abdominal wall and reduces post-operative pain laparoscopy. This is the case of Low Impact Paracoscopy surgery.
For example, in the United Kingdom, laparoscopy is a common procedure performed each year on around 250,000 women. Up to 80% of them may experience laparoscopic shoulder endoscopy (EED), which can be very painful and lead to prolonged hospital stays or even a return to hospital.
How laparoscopy is performed
Laparoscopy is performed under general anaesthesia. It allows the interior of the abdominal cavity to be visualised by means of a camera without opening the abdomen. Depending on the case, certain surgical procedures can also be performed. A surgical procedure that is less painful and less traumatic for the patient than a conventional operation.
Laparoscopy also consists of reducing the pain of laparoscopy once the operation has been completed. In the case of diagnostic laparoscopy, it allows a diagnosis to be made, but also allows samples to be taken and/or surgery to be carried out on many organs such as the gall bladder, appendix, colon, ovaries, uterus, kidney, bladder, prostate, lungs and even the heart, this is called operative laparoscopy.
The surgeon takes the time to explain to the patient the importance of laparoscopy to alleviate laparoscopic pain. Then, during the operation, he makes 2 to 4 small incisions of a few centimetres on the abdominal wall and breathes in carbon dioxide gas through a needle or a small hollow tube placed under the umbilicus. More info here.
The purpose of using this gas is to lift the abdominal wall, push back the intestine and thus visualize the inside of the abdominal cavity. Through the incisions, surgical instruments can be introduced into the abdominal cavity:
- A mini-camera a few millimetres in diameter called a laparoscope, connected to an external screen so that the surgeon can observe the organs and the inside of the abdominal cavity and face the laparoscopy pain ;
- Various surgical instruments such as forceps, scissors, coagulation or lavage instruments of small size between 1 and 3 cm. These tools are used to remove tissue (biopsies), section tissue and remove tumours.
Measures to be taken after the operation
Medical supervision is necessary for 1 or 2 hours in the recovery room after laparoscopic surgery. Carbon dioxide gas insufflated into the abdomen can cause laparoscopy pain that can reach the shoulders. This pain may occur at the time of the operation or within 24 to 48 hours afterwards.
Although painkillers such as paracetamols are effective, surgery is the safest and most effective way to reduce shoulder pain. It allows us to anticipate the discomforts caused by anesthesia such as nausea, vomiting, drowsiness and abdominal pain after the surgery.
Return home is possible quickly, starting on the same day. This can also take up to 4 or 5 days after the operation, depending on the purpose of the operation.