- What is a laparoscope? What is key-hole surgery?
- What are the advantages?
- Is it safe in children?
- What problems can be treated with laparoscopic surgery?
What is a laparoscope? What is key-hole surgery?
Laparoscope is a telescope like instrument to visualise organs inside. In key hole surgery there is no cut made; but surgery is performed through camera and instruments inserted via tiny holes.
What are the advantages?
- As there is no cut, there is no big scar
- The pain is almost nil as there is no cut
- The healing is fast
- Complications of wound healing are much less
- Children recover quicker and can be discharged quicker
- This helps to reduce the cost
- As they recover quicker can return to school quicker
Is it safe in children?
Laparoscopic surgery has been performed safely in children. There are no disadvantages. However one has to be prepared for open surgery in case there is instrument failure or technical difficulty.
What problems can be treated with laparoscopic surgery?
- Appendicitis
- Gall stones; spleen surgery
- Kidney surgery
- Varicocele
- Undescended testis
- Empyema (pus in chest)
- Ovarian problems
