Laparoscopic surgery, also known as minimally invasive surgery or keyhole surgery, is a surgical technique that allows surgeons to operate through small incisions in the body using specialised instruments and a camera. The camera, known as a laparoscope, is inserted through one of the incisions, providing a magnified view of the surgical area on a monitor. The other incisions serve as entry points for surgical instruments to perform the procedure.
Advantages of Laparoscopic Surgery:
1. Smaller Incisions: Laparoscopic surgery uses small incisions, typically ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 centimeters in length, compared to the larger incisions used in traditional open surgery.
2. Reduced Scarring: Smaller incisions lead to reduced scarring and a more aesthetically pleasing result compared to the larger and more noticeable scars from open surgery.
3. Faster Recovery: The smaller incisions and reduced trauma to surrounding tissues often result in a faster recovery and shorter hospital stay.
4. Less Pain: Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery generally experience less postoperative pain than those undergoing open surgery.
5. Lower Risk of Infection: With smaller incisions, there is a decreased risk of infection at the surgical site.
Even though scarring is considered to be less that conventional surgery, scar tissue and adhesions can still form around, and some distance, from the visible scar.
Palpation around the area often reveals tightness and restricted gliding of tissue, leading to pulling and dragging of the structures. This can include adhesion on organs and glands, impeding their functionality.
With further palpation you may also feel thread-like strands of scar tissue running away from the incision sites. Laparoscopic incisions from shoulder surgery, for example, can lead to scarring and fibrous tissues even into the lower part of the arm bicep.
These strands of scarring can be quickly resolved using MSTR®.
Don't underestimate the effects of scarring from keyhole surgery!
