Laparoscopic hysterectomy is the removal of uterus through a keyhole surgery.
The advantages of doing a laparoscopic surgery against an open surgery are:
- Pain will be lesser and hence lesser amount of pain relieving medicines needs to be taken.
- Patient can get out of bed and move around earlier than an open surgery.
- Only 3 to 4, 1 cm long scars will be there on the tummy.
- Rest period after surgery is considerably short.
For these reasons most often laparoscopic hysterectomy is preferred when such a need arises.
Complications of laparoscopic hysterectomy
The complications of laparoscopic hysterectomy include:
The serious but uncommon complications:
- Bleeding which requires blood transfusion.
- Damage to the nearby organs like bladder, urethra.
- Pelvic Infection.
- Repeat surgery for bleeding or wound problems.
- Clot formation in the leg veins.
- Rarely damage to bowel also can happen.
The other frequent minor side effects include wound infection, urinary infection and abnormal sensations around the wound area.
Who can undergo laparoscopic hysterectomy?
Most patients are suitable for laparoscopic hysterectomy except those for whom cancer is suspected or already diagnosed. Some people with history of previous surgeries or extensive diseases may also require open surgery. So if you have fibroid uterus or heavy bleeding not responding to medicines you can safely undergo laparoscopic hysterectomy.
After the laparoscopic surgery
Usually you will be shifted to your room 8 hours after surgery. You will be able to have soft food once you reach your room and by the next day you will be able to move around without help. You can go home the 2nd day after surgery if everything goes well. You can also take bath on the 2nd after the surgery day. You will be on antibiotics and analgesics for a few days. You can resume light work after 2 weeks. Sometimes sutures needs to be removed after a week and the biopsy report needs to be followed up.