Laparoscopic Surgery

In the surgical treatment of these organs, instead of making large surgical incisions, several small openings (0.5–1 cm) are created. Thin tubes called trocars are inserted through these openings, and surgery is performed using long, slender surgical instruments under the guidance of images obtained through a telescope connected to a camera. Technically, images are obtained through a camera inserted via the trocars. The image is magnified compared with normal vision, providing a detailed view of the surgical field. The telescope transmits images of the abdominal organs to a monitor through a small camera system attached to it, allowing surgery to be performed with approximately tenfold magnification.

Because of the small incisions used in laparoscopic surgery, patients experience significantly less discomfort and pain compared with the large incisions required in open surgery, and better cosmetic results can be achieved. Laparoscopy significantly reduces postoperative pain, the need for painkillers, hospital stays, and recovery time. Like open surgery, laparoscopic surgery is performed under general anesthesia.

Although laparoscopic surgery offers patients several advantages over open surgery, performing this technique requires considerable experience and specialized training.

What Are the Benefits of Laparoscopic Surgery?

Research has identified numerous benefits for patients compared with open surgery.

• 1-Less postoperative pain
• 2-Less bleeding
• 3-Shorter hospital stays
• 4-Better cosmetic appearance and smaller surgical scars
• 5-Earlier return to daily activities and work

When Is Laparoscopic Surgery Performed?

Laparoscopy is a technique that can be used in many surgical procedures in urology. The number of operations performed using this technique continues to increase. In recent years, new techniques adapted to laparoscopy have made the method considerably more effective. In urology, laparoscopy is most commonly used in kidney surgery. I have been using the laparoscopic technique in my clinical practice since 2006.

Urological Conditions Treated with Laparoscopy:

Kidney Diseases:

1. Removal of the entire kidney or cancerous tissue due to cancer (radical nephrectomy / partial nephrectomy).
2. Kidney outflow obstruction (pyeloplasty).
3. Removal of stones from abnormally positioned kidneys (pyelolithotomy).
4. Removal of kidneys that have lost their function (laparoscopic nephrectomy).

Prostate Diseases:

Removal of the prostate due to prostate cancer (laparoscopic radical prostatectomy).

Testicular Diseases:

Removal of lymph nodes due to testicular cancer (laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy).

Bladder Diseases:

Complete removal of the bladder due to bladder cancer (laparoscopic radical cystectomy).

Adrenal Gland Diseases:

Removal of masses suspected of being cancerous and functional benign tumors.

Click here for information about laparoscopic kidney cyst surgery.

In Which Situations Should Laparoscopic Surgery Not Be Performed?

Absolute contraindications to laparoscopic surgery include uncorrectable bleeding disorders, intestinal obstruction, active infections of the abdominal wall, cancers that have spread to the peritoneum, and patients with fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity. Relative contraindications include severe obesity, a history of major abdominal or pelvic surgery, pregnancy, severe respiratory failure, serious heart rhythm disorders, and heart diseases.

Complications of Laparoscopic Surgery

Complication rates are relatively low when laparoscopic procedures are performed by experienced and trained surgeons who routinely practice this technique. In laparoscopic surgery, the approximate

complication rate is 4–5%. The probability of conversion from laparoscopic surgery to open surgery is approximately 1–5%.