What laparoscopic surgery means
Laparoscopic surgery is an operation done through a few small cuts instead of one large one. It is also called keyhole or minimally invasive surgery. The surgeon passes a thin telescope with a camera, called a laparoscope, through a cut near the navel. The abdomen is filled with carbon dioxide gas to create working space. Fine instruments go in through two or three other small cuts, and the surgeon operates while watching a screen.
The inside view on the screen is magnified, which helps the surgeon see small structures clearly. Tissue that is removed is taken out through one of the cuts, sometimes inside a small bag, or through the vagina in some operations.
A laparoscopy can be diagnostic, which means it is done only to look inside. It can also be operative, where a problem is treated in the same sitting.
Conditions it is used for
- Removing ovarian cysts
- Treating endometriosis and freeing scar tissue
- Removing certain fibroids while keeping the uterus, as part of fibroid treatment
- Ectopic pregnancy in the fallopian tube
- Checking the tubes and pelvis in selected cases of infertility
- Sterilisation by blocking the tubes
- Removing the uterus, known as laparoscopic hysterectomy
Not every case suits the keyhole route. Very large fibroids, heavy scarring from earlier operations, some heart or lung conditions and suspected cancer may make open surgery the safer choice. The surgeon decides this after examining you and seeing your scans.
Keyhole and open surgery compared
| Point | Laparoscopic | Open |
|---|---|---|
| Cuts | Three or four small cuts | One longer cut |
| Hospital stay | Often same day or one to two days | Usually a few days |
| Pain after surgery | Generally less | Generally more |
| Return to routine | Often one to three weeks | Often four to six weeks |
| Operating time | Can be longer | Can be shorter |
These are general patterns. Your own recovery depends on the operation done, your health and how your body heals. Keyhole surgery still carries the risks of any operation.
How to prepare
- Complete the tests advised, such as blood tests, urine test, ECG and a chest X-ray if needed, and attend the anaesthesia check-up.
- Tell the team about all your medicines, including blood thinners, diabetes medicines and herbal products. Ask which to stop and which to continue.
- Mention allergies, past operations and any chance that you are pregnant.
- Follow the fasting instructions exactly. You are usually told not to eat for several hours before surgery.
- Bathe as advised, remove nail polish and jewellery, and leave valuables at home.
- Arrange for an adult to take you home and stay with you for the first day.
You will be asked to sign a consent form. Read it and ask what the plan is if the surgeon finds something unexpected.
On the day of surgery
Anaesthesia
Gynecological laparoscopy is nearly always done under general anaesthesia, so you are asleep throughout. A drip is placed in your arm, and monitors track your heart, blood pressure and oxygen.
The procedure
The time taken ranges from under an hour for a simple look inside to a few hours for complex work. At the end the gas is released and the cuts are closed with stitches, glue or tape. You wake up in a recovery area. Nurses check your pain, and you are encouraged to walk and drink fluids once you are alert.
Possible risks
Serious problems are uncommon, but you should know them. They include bleeding, infection, reactions to anaesthesia, blood clots in the legs, and injury to the bowel, bladder, ureter or blood vessels. Now and then the surgeon has to switch to open surgery for safety. This is a judgement call and not a failure.
Recovery at home
For the first day or two, many women feel bloated and have pain in the shoulder tip. This comes from the gas and settles by itself. Walking around the house helps. Mild soreness around the cuts and tiredness for a week or so are also expected.
You may also notice slight vaginal bleeding for a few days, depending on the procedure. A sore throat from the breathing tube used during anaesthesia is common and passes in a day or two. Take the prescribed painkillers on schedule in the first days instead of waiting for the pain to build up.
Practical tips
- Keep the wounds clean and dry, and follow the advice given about bathing and dressings.
- Eat light meals with enough fibre and fluids to avoid constipation.
- Avoid lifting heavy buckets, gas cylinders or children until your doctor clears you.
- Ask when you may drive, exercise, return to work and have sex, as this differs with the type of operation.
- Attend the follow-up visit and collect the biopsy report if tissue was sent for testing.
Charges differ widely with the type of procedure, room category and length of stay. Costs vary by city, hospital and case, so request a written estimate and check what your insurance covers.
When to see a gynecologist after surgery
Contact your doctor or the hospital without delay if you notice:
- Fever or chills
- Redness, swelling, pus or a bad smell from any wound
- Abdominal pain that is getting worse instead of better
- Repeated vomiting or a swollen, hard abdomen
- Heavy vaginal bleeding or foul-smelling discharge
- Burning or difficulty while passing urine
- Pain or swelling in one calf, or sudden breathlessness or chest pain
The last sign can point to a blood clot and needs emergency care.
This page is general information for readers in India. It is not medical advice. Speak to a qualified gynecologist about your own health.