Laparoscopy Cancer Surgery
What is laparoscopic surgery?
Laparoscopy is a medical surgery performed by doctors to examine the pelvis and abdomen (belly). A laparoscope, a short, flexible tube with a light and a tiny camera on its end, is used for this. The abdominal wall is sliced at a tiny spot around the navel to insert the tube. To insert additional tools, a second or third incision may be made in a different belly area. Keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery are other names for laparoscopy.
Why do you need laparoscopic surgery?
According to the American Cancer Society, laparoscopic cancer surgery can be done for many reasons:
- This examination is done to examine an abnormal region observed on an imaging test or to check for reasons for issues like pelvic discomfort (such as a tumor in the pelvis).
- Lymph nodes in the pelvis or abdomen can be removed surgically or have a biopsy taken via laparoscopy. For patients with gynecologic malignancies (cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer), it is frequently utilized.
- Small gynecologic malignancies (ovarian, endometrial, and cervical), as well as cancers of the colon or kidney, can be treated using laparoscopy.
How to prepare for laparoscopic cancer surgery?
Ensure your doctor or surgeon is aware of all the medications you are taking, including vitamins, herbal remedies, and dietary supplements, as well as any drug allergies you may have.
Before the test, you might be asked to wait a few days before taking any blood-thinning medications, including aspirin. You might also be instructed to abstain from food and liquids for at least a few hours before the treatment. You’ll receive detailed instructions from your physician or nurse. Make sure to follow them and ask questions if you have any questions about anything.
What happens during laparoscopic cancer surgery?
You will get medication via an intravenous (IV) line to put you to sleep for this test. To perform the surgery, a tube will be inserted into your neck and connected to a breathing apparatus. The laparoscope is inserted through a small incision in the abdominal wall close to the belly button. The abdomen is expanded with a tiny amount of gas, so the organs are visible. In the lower portion of the belly, further tiny incisions may be made to insert various cutting instruments to remove or biopsy suspicious spots, which are subsequently examined in the lab. The minor wounds will then be stitched up when the laparoscope, cutting instrument, and most of the gas have been removed. You’ll be softly awakened and removed from the breathing machine after the treatment is over. Depending on what has to be done, the operation could take more than 30 to 90 minutes.
What happens after laparoscopic cancer surgery?
You will be constantly monitored following the surgery to make sure you don’t experience any issues. For a few hours, even after the anesthetic wears off, you might feel dizzy or disoriented. For a few hours, your throat and mouth will likely feel numb. No food or liquids will be permitted until the numbness subsides. You can get a sore throat, cough, or hoarseness the next day after the numbness has subsided. In the areas where the incisions were made, you can experience discomfort or numbness. The leftover gas may also cause shoulder or stomach pain, which might last several hours or days before going away.
If the surgery were performed as an outpatient, you would generally be able to return home in a few hours, but you would likely require transport home due to the medications or anesthetic you got. You will receive instructions from your doctor or nurse on what you can and cannot do in the hours after the test.