Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to address conditions in the abdominal and pelvic areas. Conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), bladder cancer, and kidney cancer may be treated with laparoscopic surgery.
How Laparoscopic Surgery Is Done
During surgery, the surgeon uses a laparoscope (a thin, telescopic rod with a camera at the end), to visualize the treatment area without making a 6- to 12-inch incision. The surgeon only needs to make two to four incisions half an inch or less. These small incisions characterize a procedure often referred to as “keyhole surgery.”
In contrast, a laparoscopy is an exploratory surgery done using a laparoscope for diagnostic purposes. The surgeon only needs to make one or two keyhole incisions to explore the abdominal and/or pelvic cavities. During a laparoscopy, the surgeon may remove tissue samples for a biopsy or remove small growths or blockages.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
An enlarged prostate may cause a range of symptoms, such as urine leakages, blood in the urine, and frequent urination. In addition, BPH can cause kidney problems, recurring urinary tract infections, and urine blockages.
The condition may be diagnosed with blood and urine tests, a digital rectal exam, and a urinary flow test. Depending on the patient’s condition, they may need to undergo a prostatectomy to remove the prostate.
Prostatectomy may be done through a laparoscopic approach. During surgery, the surgeon makes five small incisions less than half an inch long to insert the surgical instruments. Compared to traditional surgery, a laparoscopic prostatectomy offers the following benefits:
- Less blood loss
- Reduced hospital stay
- Loss postoperative pain
- Quicker recovery
- Smaller incisions and less scarring
- Quicker return to daily activities and work
The entire procedure takes about three hours to perform. Patients will have their Foley catheter removed on the third day after surgery.
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer may cause discomfort or pelvic pain during urination, pain on the right or left side of the body, and blood in the urine. To diagnose bladder cancer, the physician may need to review results of a biopsy, urine and blood tests, CT and MRI scans, and X-rays.
Some patients may need to undergo a cystectomy, or bladder removal, to treat bladder cancer. A cystectomy may be done using the laparoscopic approach. During surgery, the patient’s abdomen will be inflated with carbon dioxide to create space for the surgeon to operate. Next, the surgeon will make small incisions and insert the long instruments to perform the procedure.
This minimally invasive approach to surgery offers many benefits, including less blood loss, quicker recovery, and reduced risk.
Kidney Cancer
Patients diagnosed with kidney cancer have a growth in the kidneys that affects the organ’s ability to process and filter waste products, salts, and fluids. Symptoms of kidney cancer may include loss of appetite, unintended weight loss, extreme or lingering fatigue, blood in the urine, anemia, fever, and ankle swelling.
Patients who need to have their kidney removed will undergo a nephrectomy. This surgery may be done through a laparoscopic approach. During a laparoscopic nephrectomy, the surgeon makes a few tiny incisions and uses a small tool with a camera, called a laparoscopy, to visualize the treatment area.
The benefits of a laparoscopic nephrectomy, compared to open nephrectomy, include shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery.