The field of medicine is constantly engaged in research. Furthermore, it consistently searches for innovative ways to improve surgical procedures and develop medical technology. The practice of laparoscopy, for example, has recently been engaged with these technological innovations:
- Robotic surgery
- Natural orifice transluminal surgery
- Single incision laparoscopic surgery
Laparoscopic surgeries, or single incision laparoscopic surgeries, are being used for removing ovarian cysts as well as for performing tubal ligations and hysterectomies. Prior to this type of surgical procedure, however, a patient will have a laparotomy performed to determine if there are any abnormalities inside the abdomen or with the internal organs.
In the United States, there are approximately 600,000 hysterectomies performed on an annual basis. Approximately one-third of these surgeries are aided with a laparoscope.
A laparotomy is performed by making a 15-to-20 centimeter incision beneath the bikini line. This operation may take one or more hours. The duration depends on multiple factors, including whether any issues may arise during the procedure. Furthermore, a longer period of time may also be needed to conduct a thorough examination, especially in the event that a serious condition is discovered.
One issue that may be discovered during this procedure may be the result of previous surgeries. There is a 20% risk of adhesions to the bowel or omentum to the anterior abdominal wall that can occur due to prior surgical procedures. In this case, many laparoscopists will choose to use different techniques in order to reduce the risk of injury to the bowels. This may also account for additional time needed.
While there are different types of medical sponges, a medical sponge, or laparotomy sponge, will be used during this procedure. A medical sponge may be a small gauze pad or a full-towel size cloth that can measure over a square foot. A medical sponge is used for a variety of purposes. These include soaking up abdominal discharges and packing off areas during surgery.
If a simple ovarian cyst is discovered during a laparotomy, a cystectomy may be indicated under certain conditions. This might be the case, for example, if the cyst is six centimeters or larger and continues to persist for two or more menstrual cycles.
If the cyst does persist through two or more menstrual cycles, and the woman is premenopausal and not pregnant, then a cystectomy may be performed using laparoscopy or laparotomy. The size of the cyst, as well as whether it may be malignant, will determine which procedure will be used.
On an annual basis, physicians perform 700,000 bilateral tubal sterilizations in the United States. Nearly half of these tubal ligations are performed with laparoscopic surgery.
When a hysterectomy is indicated, there are three basic approaches to this surgery:
Laparoscopic hysterectomy
Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy
Laparoscopic surgery is an important advancement in the medical field. In many cases, it can significantly reduce risks associated with more intrusive surgery as well as reduce recovery time.