At Mend Well, we’re all about empowering you to take control of your surgery experience—and that often starts by arming yourself with knowledge and making sense of medical jargon. You may have heard doctors or surgeons use the term “laparoscopic surgery”—but what does it mean and is it the right approach for your procedure? Today, we’re breaking down all you need to know about laparoscopic surgery. Read on for more info!

What is laparoscopic surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgery used for operations around the abdominal or pelvic areas.

Are there other terms used to refer to laparoscopic surgery?

There are! Laparoscopic surgery is also referred to as:

• Minimally invasive surgery
• Keyhole surgery
• Bandaid surgery

How is laparoscopic surgery different from other types of surgery?

• Rather than one large incision, laparoscopic surgery uses several small incisions (about 0.5-1 centimeter in length each). 
• The surgeon inserts a tube into each incision and feeds a slender tool (known as a laparoscope) that has a small camera attached to the end through each tube. 
• They transmit imagery from the camera onto a screen in the operating room. This allows your surgeon to get a clear view of the entire area she’s operating on, without the need for a large incision or “open surgery”. 

Why use laparoscopic surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery allows your surgeon to see your body without having to perform open surgery (open abdominal surgeries often require a 6-12-inch incision). This is less stressful on your body and comes with an array of benefits, including: 

• Reduced hemorrhaging
• Reduced organ exposure to contaminants 
• Less pain
• Less pain medication needed
• Shortened hospital stay
• Shorter recovery
• Less scarring

What kind of procedures use a laparoscopic approach?

• Gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy)
• Gynecological surgeries
• Certain colorectal cancers
• Intestinal surgeries
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Diverticulitis
  • Rectal prolapse

Want even more insightful recovery tips? Browse the rest of our blog for empowering pre-op information, helpful nutrition advice, and pro-medical tips!