The growing demand for laparoscopy in surgical management

Technological advancements in medical science have unveiled new opportunities for doctors and other healthcare personnel to better diagnose and treat their patients. Medical technology plays a crucial role in healthcare as it helps improve and save millions of lives across the globe. As a result, patients spend less time in their recovery phase and more time enjoying a healthy life. One such phenomenal medical invention is a minimally-invasive surgery known as the laparoscopic surgery.

What is a laparoscopic surgery?

Although the development of laparoscopy was initiated several years ago, it has only recently created a revolution in surgical management and has been accepted as a standard surgical procedure worldwide. This modern surgical technique is performed by making small incisions in the body, mainly in the abdomen, as opposed to an open procedure.

The most important element in laparoscopic surgery is the use of an advanced instrument called laparoscope – a long, thin fiber optic cable that allows the surgeon to view the affected area through a high-resolution camera at the front. The surgeon can examine the patient by snaking the cable from a relatively distant yet easily accessible location.

The purpose of developing a minimally-invasive surgical procedure is to lessen the pain, lessen the scarring and aid in a shorter recovery span for the patient. However, in an attempt to reinforce this ideology, single incision laparoscopic surgery was developed. As opposed to the traditional four to five small incisions, the new laparoscopic technique uses a single small incision at the entry point and all the surgical instruments are passed through this point. Therefore, it is regarded as a non-invasive surgical procedure and its application has grown rapidly over the past couple of years.

The role of laparoscopic procedures for treating cancer patients has expanded to include several stages such as diagnosing, staging, treating, monitoring, and palliating. Laparoscopy has significantly transformed the method of conducting a traditional oncology surgery. A laparoscopic guided biopsy helps in confirming malignancy without causing much discomfort to the patient. This was otherwise possible only through an open surgery. This surgical procedure also provides a means for biopsy in some of the rarest cases which were earlier not feasible.

Laparoscopy surgeries are predominantly dependent on technology. With the growing technological advancements, we now have high-definition monitors, advanced camera systems, high-end tissue sealing devices, staplers, etc. that are crucial for laparoscopic use. There are also opportunities for surgeons to train themselves, specifically in laparoscopic oncology surgery, which will help them conduct surgical procedures with more precision. Therefore, it’s needless to state that laparoscopic surgeries are definitely a boon to all patients.