Although certain lifestyle changes can treat most digestive problems, severe abnormalities may require laparoscopic surgery. Complications such as diverticulitis, bowel incontinence, ulcerative colitis, and colon polyps are a few that can be treated by Laparoscopy.

Laparoscopic intestinal surgery is helpful for:

• ● Right colectomy: Also known as ileocolectomy, this surgery involves removing the right-hand portion of the colon. This procedure is specifically used to remove cancer, polyps, and inflammation from Crohn’s disease.
• ● Faecal diversion: This surgical procedure treats complex rectal and anal problems, including weak bowel control.
• ● Rectopexy: In this procedure, stitches are used to repair and safeguard the rectum in the case of rectal prolapse (protrusion of the rectum through the anus).
• ● Proctocolectomy: This is an advanced operation of the bowel that involves the removal of both the rectum and colon.

• ● Lower blood loss: Traditional surgery involves a lot of blood loss which can at times prove harmful for the patient. However, laparoscopic surgery incurs small incisions (less than 1/2 inch), reducing the likelihood of blood loss and further complications. Since the scars are minimal, the risk of infection is also reduced. Laparoscopic surgeries are minimally invasive. Hence, the need for blood transfusion is eliminated.
• ● Lesser pain: Post-surgery pain is one of the major reasons that prevent patients from opting for open abdomen procedures (OA). Conversely, laparoscopic surgeries are less painful, and patients do not necessarily require long-term painkillers to subdue the pain.
• ● Quick recovery: The smaller scars in laparoscopy allow patients to recover fairly quickly. Those who opt for laparoscopic surgeries can return to work much quicker than those who opt for conventional surgeries.
• ● Effective results: Since the diagnosis is performed precisely via magnification, results achieved after the treatment are reliable without much tissue loss.
• ● Highly safe: Due to the low risks, laparoscopic surgeries are far more effective and safe than conventional ones. This is considering factors like the patient’s safety, the precision of the operation, recovery time, pain, patient comfort, etc.

Laparoscopy is a safe procedure. One major upside of this procedure is that it allows surgeons to diagnose your problem accurately. However, depending on the severity of the condition, patients may experience some mild side effects, including slight inflammation, fatigue, or problems linked to anaesthesia.

If you still face any severe side effects, communicate with your doctor, who will be able to assist you better on this.

Before opting for Laparoscopic Surgery, you need to follow the below-mentioned guidelines:

• ● Avoid eating, drinking, and smoking, especially post-midnight, before your surgery.
• ● Wear comfortable clothing and shoes on the day of surgery.
• ● Avoid wearing jewellery.

After the Laparoscopy is performed, you will be monitored for approximately an hour. You will then be shifted to an outpatient surgery ward for continuous observation.

You will be discharged after your surgeon guides you on home recovery. Generally, patients leave the hospital approximately four to five hours after the surgery. Staying in the hospital overnight may not always be necessary.

You should keep visiting for follow-up appointments as instructed by your surgeon. These will happen till two to eight weeks post-surgery.

Do not indulge in any strenuous physical activity after the surgery. Make sure you have someone to accompany you for the first 24 hours.

Yes. Whenever there are gallstones, the gall bladder can be removed by colectomy.

A patient’s recovery depends on their body’s reaction, anaesthesia used, and overall physical condition.

The greatest advantage of the laparoscopic procedure is the convenience it offers to patients and their families. Since these surgeries are minimally invasive, the destruction to neighbouring tissues is minimal, the inflammation is lesser, blood loss is low, and recovery is quicker. The smaller incisions allow quick healing, thereby reducing recovery time and hospital stay. In most cases, patients are discharged on the same day.

Patients generally take a week to get back to their routine. However, to ensure a smooth recovery, be consistent with your follow-ups and consult with your doctor regarding any additional issue.

Yes. Laparoscopic Surgeries are generally done under the influence of anaesthesia. General anaesthesia puts you to sleep. It also ensures that patients do not experience any kind of pain or discomfort at the time of surgery.