Laparoscopic Surgery And What You Need To Know

If you or someone you love has found that they need to undergo laparoscopic colon cancer surgery, you'll find that this may very well be a very difficult and stressful time in your life.

The truth of the matter is, many people face this kind of surgery and it is a very basic and very safe procedure.  To get a better idea of what you might be facing, make sure that you know some of the most basic facts about this type of surgery and what it entails.

What is laparoscopic colon cancer surgery?

This surgery is performed using very small incisions, making sure that scarring is of a substantially less significant nature than the kind that results from more traditional surgery.  Essentially, a laparascope, which is a very small telescopic rod system is hooked up to a video camera, allow the surgeon to see what he or she is doing without needing to cut into the skin and flesh.  A fiber optic is usually also attached to this rod, allowing for light to be introduced and to show the surgeon what is going on.   The abdomen might be inflated to give the surgeon more room to work, and the working instruments are usually inserted through other small incisions.

What are the advantages of laparoscopic surgery?

As mentioned above, this surgery is significantly less physically scarring than traditional colon cancer surgery.  You'll find that there is similarly less healing time that is necessary to bring the body back to where it needs to be, and that in many ways, it is simply less traumatic.  Essentially, when you undergo this type of surgery to take care of colon cancer, the goal of the procedure is to remove parts of the colon which contain the cancer.  In many cases, this procedure can be using a very small amount of incisions at all, only requiring a larger incision when the unhealthy part of the colon needs to be draw drawn out.  In the case of a colectomy, this procedure can even be used to help connect the healthy parts of the tissue.

Are there any risks?

When patients are obese or have a history of prior abdominal surgery, there is a risk of injuries to the bowels or to the blood vessels.  The result can be hemorrhage or delayed peritonitis, and early diagnosis is essential to recovery.  Similarly, some patients might experience burns from the electrodes that leak to the surrounding tissue.  These are situations are quite rare however.  Many people feel a certain amount of pain due to the CO2 gas in their systems, which is used to inflate their abdomens, but this is transitory, as is the trouble many people have while walking during the next few days.

Your chance for success during a laparoscopic colon cancer surgery is something that you will need to discuss with your doctor.  While there are things which might make this surgery a poor choice for you, make sure that you discuss your options with your doctor and that you both agree on the treatment that is most appropriate for your situation.

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