1. WHAT IS LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY?
The procedure is called Laparoscopic Surgery because it is done using a laparoscope, which is a rigid camera scope attached to a light source and video processing unit that give surgeons a direct view inside the patient’s body. The procedure allows surgeons to diagnose and treat disease using fine specialized instruments and skillful maneuvering.
Laparoscopic Surgery is also sometimes known as Keyhole Surgery because of the use of only very small incisions.
2. HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM CONVENTIONAL OPEN SURGERY?
In Laparoscopic Surgery, we can identify several advantages that can hugely benefit the patient.
One example is in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy or the removal of the gallbladder, wherein instead of a large skin incision to open up the abdomen, Laparoscopic Surgery uses only small skin incisions of about 5-10mm. And since the same operation is done with minimal damage to the body, a patient can expect a significantly less pain and shorter hospital stay; hence, an earlier return to work and normal activities for the patient.
3. IS IT PAINFUL?
Laparoscopic Surgery offers the patient the benefit of lesser pain and less tissue damage than conventional open surgery.
In open surgery, you need a big incision while in Laparoscopic Surgery, the procedure can be done with either 3 or 4 ports, or even a single port which is what surgeons call “single incision Laparoscopic Surgery.”
4. HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO STAY IN THE HOSPITAL?
One of the benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery over Conventional Surgery is a shorter hospital stay.
Depending on the type of Laparoscopic Surgery, the patient’s hospital stay can be as short as 1 day. In fact, most of our patients who undergo Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy or Laparoscopic Hernia repair can already stand, walk and go home the next day.
5. AFTER BEING DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL, HOW SOON CAN I RECOVER AND GET BACK TO NORMAL LIFE AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY?
In Laparoscopic Surgery, studies have shown a significantly earlier return to work for patients. Because of the use of fine instruments and careful movements, there is less tissue manipulation and the internal organs are able to return to normal functioning much faster.
However, because this is still surgery, the body still needs a few days to heal from the physiologic stress. So depending on the type of surgery done, full recovery can still take a few days to about 1 or 2 weeks.
6. IS IT MORE EXPENSIVE THAN OPEN SURGERY?
Laparoscopic Surgery is at competitive pricing given its greater benefits including the earlier return to work compared to conventional open surgery where recuperation can take up to weeks. With Laparoscopic Surgery, the loss of income is less, and it is more advantageous especially for patients who have an active lifestyle to maintain.
7. IS IT SAFE TO DO LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC?
Initially, the surgical community stopped doing elective surgeries because of the fear of viral transmission through the surgical smoke and the aerosolized particles inside the abdomen during Laparoscopic Surgery.
However, to date, no evidence has shown that this increases the risk of viral transmission.
Furthermore, evidence from similar viruses like, [SARS] and [MERSCoV]), have not shown disease transmission from Laparoscopic Surgery during previous viral epidemics.
In fact, because we are working in a confined space, the surgical plume and aerosolized particles actually are easier to contain as compared to open surgery where the abdominal contents are exposed.
And now with the use of additional mitigating measures like the mandatory RT-PCR Swab testing prior to surgery, use of smoke evacuators, doing surgery in a negative pressure operating room, and wearing of appropriate PPEs for doctors nurses and hospital staff, we can further reduce the risk of presumed viral contamination.
8. WHAT PROCEDURES CAN BE DONE LAPAROSCOPICALLY?
The most common operations done these days via Laparoscopic Surgery include:
Other more advanced procedures that can be done Laparoscopically include:
9. IS LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY COVERED BY HEALTH INSURANCE?
Laparoscopic Surgery is still considered as surgery, and hence health insurance can be used for these procedures.
You may inquire with your health insurance company about their company’s surgical benefits.
10. CAN ALL SURGEONS DO LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY?
No. You need to find a surgeon who specifically does Laparoscopic Surgery.
Majority of the surgeons right now can do Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy safely but then again, the success of each procedure depends really on the skills, the experience of the surgeon on Laparoscopic Surgeries, and the right equipment that the hospital has. For other special or advanced procedures, it requires a lot of skill and experience from the surgeon so it’s best to ask your surgeon about it.
In Cardinal Santos Medical Center, we assure you of the highest quality and technical proficiency in Minimally Invasive Surgery.
11. HOW TO BOOK CONSULTATION?
The patient can book an appointment with their attending physician or may call CSMC Minimally Invasive Surgery at 8727-0001 local 5401 to 5402 or email at pcasmistc@csmc.ph.
10 Wilson, Greenhills West, San Juan, Metro Manila 1502
+632 8727 0001
info@csmc.ph