Introduced at the beginning of the 20th century by surgeons Georg Kelling, Dimitri Ott, and Hans Christian Jacobeus, laparoscopic surgery for the abdomen and other areas has grown in popularity over the last 10 years. At Tinsley Surgical in Wilmington, North Carolina, surgeon Ellis A. Tinsley, MD, FACS, FSVS, continues to utilize minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopy, to ensure the best outcomes for his patients with the least scarring and downtime.
How abdominal laparoscopic surgery works
Dr. Tinsley and his surgical team employ a laparoscope, a small tube containing a light and camera, to take images, make a diagnosis, and correct any problems. The team often corrects these during a single procedure, through the following process:
1. Make a small incision in your abdomen.
2. Inflate the abdominal walls with carbon dioxide to better view the area.
3. Insert a laparoscope and other small instruments, as needed, through the incision to examine your organs and tissues.
4. Remove the carbon dioxide from the abdomen after completing surgery.
5. Close the area with stitches.
Laparoscopic versus traditional surgery
Dr. Tinsley often recommends laparoscopic surgery in lieu of traditional surgery for the abdomen and other areas in order to:
● Create smaller wounds and less scarring
● Use fewer pain relievers
● Reduce the risk of contamination during surgery
● Cause less blood loss and physical trauma during and after surgery
● Speed healing for shorter downtime
Recover faster with laparoscopic surgery
While recovery is much shorter for laparoscopic surgery than traditional surgery, you may still experience such post-operative issues as:
● Feeling groggy or nauseous following surgery due to the anesthesia
● Pain at the incision site
● Sore throat if breathing tube was used
● Gassiness or bloating due to the carbon dioxide inserted into your abdomen
Dr. Tinsley recommends you get sufficient rest following any operation. Be sure to contact him if you experience an extreme symptoms, such as chills, a high fever, or excessive abdominal pain.
Contraindications for laparoscopic surgery
Certain patients and or conditions are best treated with traditional surgery. These include patients with:
● An abundance of scar tissue in the area
● Cancerous growths on e abdominal wall
● Bleeding issues or need for blood-thinning medication
● Too much fat in the area, which can make laparoscopic surgery more difficult
Our team discusses these and other issues with you to choose the best course of action. Let us know about any medications and supplements you take. You may need to stop taking them before and after the procedure if they affect blood clotting.
The team at Tinsley Surgical looks forward to discussing any issues that may require laparoscopic or traditional surgery. Simply call or message us for an appointment.