How Minimally Invasive Surgery / Laparoscopy (Keyhole Surgery) Is Performed?
Technical advances now make it possible to perform surgery with smaller incisions and less tissue disruption than occurs with traditional surgery. Surgeons can insert tiny lights, video cameras, and surgical instruments through keyhole-sized incisions. The surgeons can then perform procedures using the images transmitted to video monitors as guides for manipulating the surgical instruments. Surgery is performed through small incisions with a slender telescope-like instrument, called a laparoscope placed through a small half-centimeter puncture at the umbilicus (belly-button). Carbon dioxide gas is then introduced into the tummy to distend and to help the surgeon visualize the entire abdominal cavity. The surgeon makes 2 small incisions-usually no larger than half a centimeter each. Miniature surgical instruments, including a video camera, light source, and cautery device are then introduced through these incisions. The surgeon does not see the organ directly, so visualising its place i
