Minimally Invasive Surgery
Also called laparoscopic surgery, it is performed through one or more small incisions, as opposed to open surgery in which a large incision is made. For most patients, this leads to significantly less postoperative pain, a shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and, in some cases, a better overall outcome.
A laparoscope attached to a camera is inserted through a small incision at the belly button. The abdomen is then filled with carbon dioxide gas so that a surgeon can see the abdominal cavity on a video monitor. Several other surgical instruments are also inserted into the abdominal cavity that allow the surgeon to operate using very small incisions.
In gynecology, laparoscopy is used for many purposes, including hysterectomy, removing ovaries/tubes, ovarian cysts, endometriosis as well as for permanent sterilization.
In this video, a left fallopian tube is ligated using a rubber band called Falope-Ring for permanent sterilization. The diameter of the instrument is 8mm, approximtely the same size as a pencil. The camera itself is only 5mm in diameter. The patient can go home a few hours after surgery, and the skin incisions are typically closed with a glue.
Removal of endometrioma, also known as chocolate cyst, from the right ovary
Before and after photos of removal of ovaries, right one being cystic and enlarged
Removal of adhesions, or scar tissue on the intestine that was causing pelvic pain in a patient
