Laparoscopy or Open Surgery- Which is best for me?

Nowadays a majority of people are suffering from abdominal or pelvis diseases. The identification and treatment of these abdominal problems often require a surgical procedure, either laparoscopy or open surgeries. These surgeries are offered in almost all the major hospitals in your area at affordable rates. But the burning question is, which one should we choose? Laparoscopy or open surgery, and why? So let’s dive in deep to find out.

What is an open surgery?

Open surgeries are the traditional method of surgeries where a considerable size of incision (usually around 3 to 10 inches depending on the procedure) is made by using the scalpel. Surgeons then insert several instruments to perform the surgery.

Advantages of open surgery

One of the major benefits of open surgery is that it ensures the right kind of treatment done appropriately as it allows surgeons to access the internal abdominal areas more clearly and efficiently. Apart from this, during the insertion of stuff like mesh for a hernia, open surgery is recommended by the surgeons. Open surgery ensures that other tissues of your body are not affected. Also, there are some treatments like an umbilical hernia and femoral hernia which are treated by open surgery only.

What is laparoscopy?

Laparoscopy, also known as diagnostic laparoscopy, keyhole surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and Band-Aid surgery. Laparoscopy is a surgery which is basically used for the diagnosis and treatment of organs inside the abdomen or pelvic region. Laparoscopy surgery is usually initiated by small incisor and hence is less painful as compared to other surgeries. Key elements used in laparoscopy surgery are laparoscope, a long, thin tube, assembled with a high-resolution camera and is generally used to examine the abdominal organs. The instrument is inserted through the incision, and as it moves along, the camera sends images to a video monitor.

Types of laparoscopy treatments

Laparoscopy is used in a variety of treatments like in-

1. Hernias

A hernia is a condition when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. Although a hernia is most common in the abdomen region, they can also appear in the belly button, upper thigh, and even the groin areas. Most hernias aren’t immediately life-threatening, but they need surgery to prevent potentially dangerous complications. Laparoscopic surgery is one of the most common methods used to remove it.

2. Appendicitis

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix that can happen at any time in your life, usually between 10 to 30 years of age. The issue is more common in males than in females, and if left untreated, it causes your appendix to burst, and the infection could spread to the nearby organs. This situation can be serious and sometimes fatal.

3. Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is the operation or surgery by which all the parts of the uterus are removed. This surgery is carried out by using laparoscopy by a gynecologist near you.

4. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is one of the painful diseases in which the endometrium (tissue that lines the inside of the uterus) emerge out of the uterus. In such case, most of the gynecology specialists recommend you for laparoscopic removal of the part.

5. Removal of ovarian cyst and other tumors

Ovarian cyst is the fluid-filled sac which is mostly painless but has no symptoms. Corpus luteum cysts and follicle cysts are the types of functional cysts. For removing these cysts through small incisions, surgeons perform laparoscopy surgery. Similar is the case for most of the other cysts or tumors found in the abdomen region.

6. Incontinence disorder

This disorder is usually known as defecation. A person suffering from this disorder is not able to control urination. Burch procedure and laparoscopy surgery are performed for the treatment of this disease.

7. Tubal ligation

Tubal ligation is the surgery usually provided to women in which their fallopian tubes are tied to prevent pregnancy. Tubal ligation is also known as tubectomy. Through this surgery, eggs are prevented from reaching to the ovaries of the uterus. This surgery is carried out by both open surgery and laparoscopy, but most of the doctors and surgeons prefer laparoscopy surgery.

8. Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder, an organ that helps your body digest fat. This condition can become chronic if it persists for a prolonged period, or if you’re having recurring symptoms from the inflammation. See your doctor as soon as possible if you think you have acute cholecystitis.

Apart from this, there are several other types of laparoscopy treatments like adhesion removal, vault suspension for a defected uterus, removal of fibroids, removal of ovaries, treatment of infertility issues and even for cancers.

Advantages of laparoscopy

1. Laparoscopy ensures that there is less discharge of blood, i.e. reduces hemorrhaging.
2. In laparoscopy, surgeons usually initiate the surgery by four small incisions of 1.5 to 2.0 cm. These small incisions ensure that there should not be much pain during the operation.
3. As discussed earlier, laparoscopy surgery is carried out via small incisions. Due to these small incisions, patient acquires faster recovery, and there are less cut marks on the abdomen after surgery.
4. Risks of infections in laparoscopy are minimal as internal organs are not much exposed to the external environment.
5. In laparoscopy, less analgesia is required thus have less unwanted effects of analgesia.

Laparoscopy or open surgery – which is the best for me?

Open surgeries are a traditional form of surgeries and laparoscopy is a conventional type of surgery thus laparoscopy uses more advanced techniques as compared to open surgery. Therefore, a majority of people prefer laparoscopy over open surgery. If you want proper treatment with less pain and fewer cuts on your body, you should go with Laparoscopy especially when it is about procedures or operations related to your abdominal or pelvic regions.

Open surgeries require more time to recover than the laparoscopy surgeries. If you think that laparoscopy is too expensive, then you are wrong because it is affordable and it is now provided by most of the surgeons, especially at Midland Healthcare. However, depending upon your health condition, your doctor may prefer an open surgery, which is entirely reasonable.