MINIMALLY INVASIVE
Laparoscopy is a surgical diagnostic procedure used to examine the organs inside the abdomen. It's a low-risk, minimally invasive procedure that requires only small incisions, but recovery impacts each person differently. What is true for one person may not be true for another. Typically, the surgery is done on an outpatient basis.
Laparoscopy uses an instrument called a laparoscope to look at the abdominal organs. A laparoscope is a long, thin tube with a high-intensity light and a high-resolution camera at the front. Generally, a small incision is made near the belly button and the abdomen is filled with CO2 gas. This lifts the abdomen away from the internal organs, giving the surgeon a better view.
Some reasons why laparoscopy is performed
- Abdominal pain
- Abdominal mass
- Ascites
- Liver disease
- "Second look" procedure for previous treated disease