Modern endoscopic surgery, unlike its predecessor, traditional surgery, prefers the use of small accesses with minimal tissue damage. Laparoscopy is used for this purpose. The first prerequisites and experimental methods were developed at the beginning of the last century. At present, minimally invasive surgery is rightfully one of the main niches in the treatment of many diseases.
What is laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is a high-tech surgical procedure, as a result of which access to internal organs is performed not through a large incision, but through a small hole. It requires special equipment: a laparoscope equipped with a lens system, a video camera and instruments. There are two main types of laparoscopy:
- Diagnostic
It is performed to confirm or refute the diagnosis in questionable situations. This avoids unwarranted surgery and allows you to start treatment on time.
- Therapeutic
The purpose of this operation is the direct treatment of the underlying disease. For example, laparoscopy in gynecology can solve a number of serious problems that can not cope with conservative treatment.
Advantages and disadvantages of the method
Like any other surgical procedure, laparoscopy has its pros and cons. When choosing a method of treatment, the doctor assesses the risks individually for each patient, which reduces the number of adverse effects to a minimum. The main advantages of the method include:
- small sizes of incisions: seams after laparoscopy the patient can process independently;
- there are practically no scars left;
- less risk of infection from the environment than traditional large incisions;
- blood loss is minimal (no additional transfusion of blood or its components is required);
- recovery lasts no more than a week;
- pain is almost absent.
Almost all the shortcomings of the procedure are relevant only to surgeons. However, an experienced surgeon will successfully cope with all the difficulties. Among the disadvantages of such surgery are the following:
- the surgeon needs to take additional courses and master special skills: therefore laparoscopy is not used in small hospitals or hospitals;
- there is a risk of accidental damage to blood vessels or nerves;
- restriction of the volume of movements;
- it is necessary to purchase expensive equipment.
How laparoscopy is used in gynecology
Obstetrics and gynecology is one of those areas of medicine in which minimally invasive approaches are widely used. This reduces the risk of harm to a woman’s reproductive health. Laparoscopy in gynecology is used in the presence of the following indications:
- congenital or acquired deformities of the genitals;
- growth of the inner lining of the uterus (endometriosis);
- purulent-inflammatory diseases of the uterus and appendages (endometritis, salpingitis, oophoritis);
- benign and malignant tumors of the pelvic organs;
- violation of the patency of the fallopian tubes;
- suspicion of atypical located pregnancy;
- infertility with an unknown cause.
Preparation for surgery: what general tests are needed
Before surgery, the patient must pass general tests of urine and blood. It is also mandatory to conduct instrumental examinations (radiography, ECG and ECHO-CG). When using laparoscopy in gynecology, the patient must take a swab so that doctors can detect bacteria and treat infections before surgery.
2 weeks before surgery, the patient should follow a special diet low in fat, completely abstain from alcohol, oral contraceptives and other drugs that increase blood viscosity. It is forbidden to eat 8-12 hours before the operation.
How to treat sutures after laparoscopy
The patient is discharged 1-3 days after surgery. In the hospital, the nurse teaches the patient proper care for the postoperative wound. Sutures after laparoscopy should be treated especially carefully to avoid infection. To do this, use the following groups of tools:
- Topical antiseptics: chlorhexidine, miramistin, diamond green, hydrogen peroxide.
- Means that improve tissue healing and prevent scarring: Kontraktubeks, Kameloks, Dolobene.
All drugs should be applied to dry and clean skin with pre-washed hands: this will reduce the likelihood of infection in the wound. You can close the sutures after laparoscopy on top with a band-aid.
Rehabilitation after surgery
Despite minimal tissue damage, the body still needs recovery after surgery. To prevent postoperative complications, the following rules must be followed:
- During the month, any physical activity is prohibited, especially – lifting and carrying weights. This can cause suture discrepancies: repeated laparoscopy is required to eliminate side effects.
- Psychological calm must be observed: the patient must not be exposed to serious stress. Under the influence of stress factors, the body produces the hormone cortisol, which reduces the rate of soft tissue healing.
- For 7-25 days after surgery, you must wear special compression stockings (underwear or bandages). This reduces the risk of thromboembolic complications.
- Adherence to a light diet. Anesthesia and surgery are serious stresses for the body. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure a full income proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vitamin and mineral components with food.
