Laparoscopic (or ‘keyhole’) surgery allows surgeons to view and operate on a patient’s internal organs using only small cuts (‘incisions’) in their tummy. This involves the use of a so-called ‘laparoscope’ – a video camera at the end of a 1cm-wide silver cylinder. Doing so allows the surgeon is visualise a patient’s internal organs. Additional smaller (eg. 0.5cm) incisions are made, to allow the surgeon(s) to insert long skinny surgical instruments, to complete the operation.
Laparoscopic surgery is now considered best-practice for many operations that used to be performed through large cuts, such as hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) and myomectomy (removal of fibroids). It also provides greater magnification than open surgery, thereby allowing much better views of fine details, such as endometriotic nodules.
Laparoscopic surgery has many benefits for patients, compared to open surgery, such as:
- Less pain after your operation
- Quicker recovery and return to your usual activities
- Earlier discharge home
- Fewer dangerous blood clots forming in your legs or lungs
- Fewer wound infections
- Smaller scars
In our team, Drs Sneha Parghi and Alison Bryant-Smith have both sought out additional training, to enable them to perform advanced laparoscopic surgery. Alison completed the accredited training program overseen by the Australasian Gynaecological Endoscopy and Surgery society (AGES), under the mentorship of A/Prof Alan Lam. Sneha completed additional training under the guidance of A/Prof Alex Ades.
