All you need to know about laparoscopy- a surgeon's guide

Laparoscopy- what is it?

A surgical, diagnostic procedure that requires small incisions is called laparoscopy. It is also called a diagnostic laparoscopy, as the procedure helps examine the organs that are located inside of your abdomen. This minimally invasive procedure hardly involves any risk and has a high success rate.

About a laparoscope:

A laparoscope is an instrument used to observe the abdominal organs during a laparoscopy surgical procedure. It is a long, thin tube that has high-intensity light and also a high-resolution camera at the front of it. The laparoscopic surgeon in Kolkata inserts this instrument in the patient's body through a small incision made in the abdominal wall. The instrument goes inside the patient's abdomen, and the camera attached at the front of it sends images of the inner abdomen to a video monitor. Thus, it allows your surgeon to see what is happening inside of your body during the surgery.

Preparation for the surgery:

Dr. Arghya Basu is one of the best laparoscopic surgeons in Kolkata. He emphasizes letting your doctor know about any medications that you are taking before your laparoscopic surgery. Your doctor may change the dosage of your medication if necessary so that it does not affect the result of your laparoscopic surgery.

The medicines that may be changed by your surgeon may include:

• Vitamin K
• Herbal supplements or dietary supplements
• Anticoagulants (like blood thinners)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)- like ibuprofen (Motrin IB, Advil) or aspirin (Bufferin)

The doctor should also be informed about your pregnancy if you are pregnant or thinking of being pregnant. This information will help the doctor reduce the risk of harm for the child developing inside your womb. Before the laparoscopic surgery, the laparoscopic surgeon in Kolkata may ask you to get your blood and urine tested. He may also ask you to opt for an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), X-ray of your chest, and imaging tests like an ultrasound, MRI scan, or CT scan. The surgeon probably may ask you to stop eating and drinking for 8 hours prior to your surgery if required.

About the procedure:

General anaesthesia is used for laparoscopic surgery. This anaesthesia is inserted through the veins so that the patient sleeps and does not feel any pain during the surgical procedure. Local anaesthesia also can be used in some cases. A local anaesthetic will numb the particular area, and you will remain awake throughout the entire procedure.

The skilled and experienced laparoscopic surgeon in Kolkata will insert the laparoscope from one small incision and other instruments from other cuts. The camera will send pictures to the video monitor, from where the doctor will be able to observe the whole process along with the organs inside your abdomen. After the completion of the surgical procedure, the surgical tools will be removed from your body, and the cuts will be closed with surgical tape or stitches. The incisions may be covered with bandages.

In most cases, laparoscopic surgery allows the patient to get a release from the hospital on the same day of his/ her surgery.