The word laparoscopy means “to see” (scope) the portion of the body between the ribs and the hips (lapara). The technique was first developed for use in gallbladder removal surgeries. It is also used commonly to study the female reproductive organs and to correct gynecological disorders. In recent years, surgeons have found it beneficial as a way of performing surgery on the colon as well.

During a laparoscopy, patients are placed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes small, inch-long incisions in the abdomen, then he or she uses a narrow tube-like instrument called canula to enter the abdomen. Then a laparoscope, a tiny telescope connected to a video camera, is placed into the abdomen, which is inflated with carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. The inflation of the abdomen lifts the skin off the organs, enabling the surgeon to better visualize and work around them. The surgeon inserts other canulas and then places various small, specialized instruments through the canula to perform the surgery.

A laparoscopy usually takes longer to perform than a traditional, open surgery, due to the delicate handling and maneuvering of the instruments in the smaller incisions. However, a recent, landmark study in The New England Journal of Medicine has shown that LCS is just as effective in treating colon cancer as traditional, open surgery. In addition, the study showed that LCS is a more attractive option for patients, due to its many benefits.

Details of Surgery

Right Sided Laparoscopic Colectomy

Left Sided Laparoscopic Colectomy

Removal of the Rectum and Permanent Colostomy (Abdomino-Perineal Resection and Colostomy)

Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Colectomy

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What you can expect...

Before the surgery

During your hospital stay

After return home 

Links

The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgery