Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic

As more technologies are designed and our existing devices improve, costs of today’s minimally-invasive surgical procedures drop. As such, benefits, and availability to patients have greatly increased. If you are faced with the need of a surgery, your doctor may recommend a non-invasive or minimally-invasive procedure that offers reduced complications, and quicker recovery. A non-invasive procedure means that the body is not invaded or cut open during the procedure, while a minimally invasive procedure utilizes a small incision to access the area of the procedure. There are a wide variety of these types of procedures, as such understanding the standard variations may make your procedure a less stressful event. In this article we will cover laparoscopic procedures, and thoracoscopic procedures, other procedures not directly focused on in this article include computer guided surgeries.

The areas of the body that require surgery most often are in the torso, including the thorax, your chest, and the abdomen, which rests below your rib cage. The types of procedures used for these areas most often are keyhole surgeries. This type of surgery utilizes a laparoscope, or an appropriate similar instrument, to examine the tissue and organs for a procedure only requiring a small incision to insert the instrument. Such devices can be described as slim telescopes, which can include a tiny camera or an eyepiece like that of a microscope, and will have a built-in light source to allow a surgeon to have a visual window of the procedure area. Additional instruments are inserted to manipulate the tissue. Each instrument is usually only 5mm to 10mm diameter. Multiple video laparoscopes can be utilized to allow for a 3 dimensional view.

Laparoscopic Surgical Procedures

– minimally invasive surgeries of the abdomen

Laparoscopic procedures can include: hernia repair, biopsies, organ removal such as the gallbladder and appendix, tumor removal, along with resection of the intestines and stomach. The alternative to a laparoscopic procedure is an open surgery, this invasive surgical method has been documented to produce more postoperative pain and a more lengthy recovery when compared to the laparoscopic alternative. This is one of the growing reasons this newer procedure is being used and recommended by doctors. Laparoscopic procedures will produce less visible scarring. You can expect 3 or more incisions around the procedure area. You will be placed under anesthesia for the entire procedure

Thoracoscopic Surgical Procedures

– minimally invasive surgeries of the chest cavity, most often the lungs.

Thoracoscopic procedures can include: lung resection, biopsies, decortication, and lymphatic procedures. In most instances you can expect 3-4 incisions to be made, and to be placed under anesthesia for the entirety of the procedure. Similarly to a laparoscopic procedure recovery is documented to be shorter than the open surgery alternatives, and less visible scarring will result.

If you are a candidate for one of these procedures, your surgeon will evaluate your current medication and may provide you with special instruction to follow leading up to the procedure, and following. Especially in a surgical facility you can rest assured that these procedures are performed regularly, and you specialist has the experience necessary to ensure a successful procedure.