Laparoscopy Auckland

Definitions

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is removal of the gallbladder with the aid of a camera inserted into the abdomen. A small incision is made in the abdominal wall near the navel, through which alaparoscope, a flexible lighted tube with a camera attached, is inserted to view the gallbladder. The surgery is carried out with instruments inserted in three other small cuts made in the right upper part of the abdomen. The gallbladder is then taken out through one of the incisions. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive technique that permits a shorter hospital stay and shorter recovery time with less pain.moreLaparoscopy is a group of operations carried out with the aid of a camera inserted into the abdomen or pelvis. A small incision is made in the abdominal wall through which a laparoscope, a shortflexible lighted tube with a camera attached, is inserted so that structures within the abdomen and pelvis can be examined. The abdominal cavity is made more visible by distending it with an absorbable gas, usually carbon dioxide. Laparoscopy may be done to diagnose a condition (called diagnostic laparoscopy). A number of major and minor surgeries may also be carried out. A variety of tubes and instruments can be inserted through the same incision in the skin, or other small incisions, facilitating a number of procedures without the need for a large surgical incision. This technique is known as laparoscopic-assisted surgery or laparoscopic surgery. Most patients receive general anaesthetic during the procedure.moreReflux surgery, also called fundoplication, is a technique to treat gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). GERD involves inflammation, pain (heartburn), and complications that result when acidrefluxes (regurgitates) from the stomach into the oesophagus. Normally, there is a barrier to acid reflux. One part of this barrier is the muscle of the oesophagus called the lower oesophageal sphincter, which closes off the oesophagus from the stomach most of the time. With GERD, the sphincter does not work as it should and allows acid from the stomach to go back up into the oesophagus. During fundoplication, the part of the stomach closest to the oesophagus is gathered, wrapped and sutured (stitched) around the lower end of the oesophagus and the lower oesophageal sphincter. This increases the pressure at the lower end of the oesophagus and so reduces acid reflux. Fundoplication may be done with a laparoscope, a flexible lighted tube with a camera attached, which is inserted through a small incision in the abdominal wall. Other small incisions allow instruments to be inserted. This is usually done under general anaesthetic. Laparoscopy usually means a shorter hospital stay.moreUpper gastrointestinal (GI) surgery involves surgery to the oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, or small intestine, all parts of the gastrointestinal (digestive) tract. This is the tube in which themovement of muscles and the release of hormones and enzymes carry out the digestion of food. moreA hernia is a sac or pouch of tissue formed by the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity. The sac protrudes through a hole or weak area in the fascia, the strong layer of the abdominal wallthat surrounds the muscle. Hernias occur in different places: femoral hernia (upper thigh); hiatial hernia (upper part of stomach); incisional hernia (can occur through a scar if you have had abdominal surgery); inguinal hernia (groin); umbilical hernia (around the navel). Surgery under general anaesthetic is used to permanently fix a hernia. The weakened abdominal wall tissue (fascia) is secured and any holes are closed. An umbilical hernia that fails to heal on its own by the time a child is five years old may be repaired. Emergency surgery for hernias is sometimes needed. In addition to open surgery, some hernias can be repaired using a laparoscope (flexible lighted tube tipped with a camera), which is less invasive.more