Keyhole or laparoscopic surgery is becoming increasingly popular. Advancement in technology is benefiting more people as it has allowed increasingly difficult surgeries to be performed with greater care and precision via this minimally invasive surgical method.

Surgeons no longer have problems reaching even the farthermost parts of the human body with surgical procedures like laparoscopic or keyhole surgery that rely on sophisticated equipment that allows doctors to view the internal abdomen and pelvic organs without cutting up too much of the patient’s body.

In the medical field, surgery is sometimes unavoidable because the illness has advanced to a stage where surgery is necessary to remove the diseased part. Unfortunately, conventional surgery often requires large incisions that can leave unsightly scars after healing, in addition to the risk involved.

Laparoscopic surgery is a modern surgical procedure that does not require large incisions. The surgery uses small incisions of about 0.5-1.5 cm, through which laparoscopic instruments are inserted to enable doctors to confirm the diagnosis as well as to perform therapeutic procedures. Once the appropriate area is identified, surgery is conducted using the same instruments that do not require cutting open the patient’s body.

Laparoscopic surgery is inherently less invasive as there are no big incisions and blood loss is minimal It is also a viable option for females, especially those who are suffering from gynaecological disorders.

GYNAECOLOGICAL ILLNESSES REQUIRING SURGERY

Laparoscopic surgery is particularly suitable for treating gynaecological conditions like:

• Endometriosis – This is a condition where tissues that line the inside of the womb (endometrium) are found outside the womb. They can cause infertility, painful periods, heavy and irregular menses and pelvic pain.
• Pelvic Adhesions – Healing after surgery, endometriosis or infections can sometimes cause pelvic tissues to “stick”, resulting in pelvic pain and infertility.
• Fibroids – Benign overgrowths of fibrous and smooth muscle tissues of the womb.
• Ovarian cysts – Fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries (endometriotic, dermoid, benign cysts).
• Ectopic pregnancy – Complication during pregnancy in which the foetus implants itself outside the uterine cavity (commonly in the fallopian tubes and sometimes cervix ovaries and abdomen).

As compared to traditional open surgery, minimally invasive surgery such as laparoscopic surgery provides minimal down time and maximum benefit (reduce stay in hospital less analgesia, faster recovery and aesthetically more pleasing), the key philosophy of a trained laparoscopic gynaecologist like Dr Christopher Ng (Medical Director of GynaeMD Women’s & Rejuvenation Clinic).