LAPAROSCOPIC SURGERY – refers to a minimally invasive surgery, also known as keyhole or band-aid surgery because the surgery is performed through tiny incisions in the abdomen through which laparoscopic instruments are inserted to accomplish the surgery. A camera, or laparoscope is inserted through the umbilicus and 2-3 other instruments ranging from 0.5-0.8cm are inserted in the abdomen at strategic locations to accomplish diagnostic procedures, management of ectopic pregnancies, removal of ovaries (laparoscopic oophorectomy or just ovarian cysts (laparoscopic oophorocystectomy), myomas (laparoscopic myomectomy) or the entire uterus (laparoscopic hysterectomy), cancer surgery. It has the advantage of minimizing downtime, rapid recovery back to activities of daily living, less chances for post op complications like pain, bleeding and infection and minimal scarring.
