
Until recently, gallbladder surgery involved a 15cm cut into the abdomen, a week in hospital and six weeks off work. This is now carried out via three or four small incisions that are no more than a centimetre each and most patients leave hospital the day after surgery.
The change is a laparoscopic surgery and it has changed the perception of surgery for patients.
Unfortunately, not all hospitals provide laparoscopic procedures and specially in a city like Jaipur you need to find out the best Laparoscopic Surgery Hospital in Jaipur. The technique will need specialized training, dedicated equipment and experience of a surgeon with a good volume of experience. Laparoscopic surgery is a procedure that every patient should know and understand, when it is recommended, what it costs, and what makes one surgical team better than another.
Before we go ahead let’s start by knowing what is laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic Surgery also known as minimally invasive surgery or keyhole surgery, involves inserting a small camera (laparoscope) and thin surgical instruments through small incisions in the abdomen. A magnified, high-definition image of the internal organs is sent to a monitor, and the surgeon works from a view on screen while using the instruments inserted into the body.
NOTE:Laparoscopic surgery is more complex and requires advanced surgical expertise and training. Not all surgeons who do open surgery are experienced in laparoscopy. The number of a specific procedure performed by a surgeon is directly correlated with the outcome.
Gallstones develop in the gallbladder and lead to intermittent discomfort in the upper abdomen (usually following fatty food), nausea, and occasionally to intense cramping. Surgery is the definitive treatment if stones cause repeated symptoms, if the stone blocks the bile duct, or if the stone infects the gallbladder (cholecystitis).
Gallstones laparoscopic surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) involves removal of the gallbladder through three small incisions. It is the standard treatment for gallstones that cause symptoms in all parts of the world. Generally 24-48 hours in hospital followed by 1-2 weeks at home prior to return to work.
Patients can still digest normally without gallbladder bile being released into the small intestine directly from the liver.
NOTE:The above last two points are considered an emergency get a same-day checkup by doctor.
A hernia occurs when an organ or tissue in the body pushes through a weakness in the tissue or muscle around it. Inguinal hernias (groin hernias) are the most frequent, especially men. Umbilical hernia is a hernia that is located at the navel. Incisional hernias occur when a previous surgical incision opens up.
All hernia that cause symptoms like pain, a bulge that doesn't shrink down when lying down or discomfort during activity needs repair. If left untreated, hernias will progressively get larger and can become strangulated, which means that the blood supply to the herniated tissue is cut off and it becomes an emergency.
During Laparoscopic hernia surgery hernia is fixed with a mesh patch from the inside, allowing the abdominal wall to be reinforced without the tension of the open surgical repair. Recovery is 3-5 days (compared to open surgery in 2-4 weeks) and recurrence is as low or lower.
If there is a bilateral inguinal hernia (both sides), then laparoscopic repair is strongly recommended both sides can be repaired in the same surgery through small incisions.
Appendicitis is one of the most common surgical emergencies. This causes inflammation and infection of the appendix, which will usually begin around the belly button and spread to the right lower abdomen, followed by fever, nausea and loss of appetite.
During laparoscopy, the appendix is removed through three small incisions in the abdomen. Hospitalization is 24 hours followed by home care for 5-7 days. If the appendicitis is simple, laparoscopic removal is the recommended treatment, recovery is quicker, and there is less pain, less infection risk than when removed open.
If the appendix has perforated (burst) open surgery may be necessary. This will be determined in the operating room by your surgeon.
Where the standard open hysterectomy a few years ago involved a large cut down in the abdomen and a 6-8 week recovery period, gynaecological conditions involving the uterus are now increasingly being treated with laparoscopic surgery for uterus.
Recovering from laparoscopic gynaecological surgery is generally 3-5 days in hospital (and 2-3 weeks at home) compared with 7-10 days in hospital (and 6-8 weeks at home) after open surgery.
If you are a woman who needs to go through any of these procedures, it is always worth asking specifically about laparoscopic surgery as there can be a huge difference in recovery.
Currently the laparoscopic technique is used for:
Laparoscopic surgery cost in India is dependent on the complexity of each case, the type of surgery being performed, and the tier of hospital and city.
What affects the cost:
Health insurance policies: Most of the laparoscopic procedures are included in health insurance policies. Treatment without cash is available in empanelled hospitals. For many surgical operations, the families are covered under the Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) and Mukhymantri Ayushman Aarogya Yojana (MAA) and can avail these services without paying any money to the empanelled facilities which provide these services.
Always request a written quote from the hospital prior to any procedure, covering the entire cost, including surgical fees, anaesthetic, consumables, bed fees and aftercare medicine. This is offered at the outset by reputable hospitals.
Compared to open surgery, the laparoscopic method is much more difficult to learn. The surgeon works in a 3D space, with a 2D image, and with limited tactile feedback from the instruments. This is a skill which can be acquired and will improve with practice.
The foundational qualification is held by a surgeon with a 3-year post graduate surgical qualification in MS (General Surgery). Real-life experience and documented case volume after a given degree is a true sign of expertise.
The surgical emergencies are appendicitis, perforated peptic ulcer, intestinal obstruction and strangulated hernia. The longer it takes to reach a surgical facility with 24/7 operating theatre, the poorer the outcome will be.
The golden hour concept of stabilising a critical patient in the first 60 minutes after reaching hospital is no different in the case of emergency surgery. Patients in Bagru, Mahindra SEZ and across the western part of Jaipur can now reach a surgical wing at Thikariya on the Jaipur-Ajmer Expressway in 10-15 minutes without having to deal with the chaos of city traffic in the event of a medical emergency.
Access to emergency surgery is a factor, not a convenience, especially when close to home.
Laparoscopic surgery is not only smaller scarring but also benefits in numerous ways. It results in less pain, fewer hospital stay days, quicker return to work and reduced risk of infection. For the majority of the conditions that require abdominal surgery, it is no longer an “advanced option,” but rather a standard.
This is what the best laparoscopic surgery hospital in Jaipur can do, thanks to the right equipment, trained surgical team, and 24/7 emergency backup. The indirect costs of laparoscopic surgery (lost days at work, disruption to family life) are much less than open surgery and the cost of laparoscopic surgery is available under insurance and government schemes in Jaipur.
For conditions such as gallstones, a hernia, an appendix or any condition related to the uterus, inquire specifically if the surgery can be performed laparoscopically. It's nearly always is when it's in the hands of an experienced surgeon that has the proper facility. Learn more about laparoscopic surgery in this guide.
Book a Surgical Consultation with Dr. Ashok Kumar Jain for checkup of gallstones, hernia, appendix concerns, or any abdominal surgical condition.
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Laparoscopic surgery is safe and is considered the standard of care for most abdominal procedures. It has a lower overall complication rate than open surgery when used for routine cases. There is a risk of bleeding, infection, injury to surrounding structures (such as bile duct, bladder, bowel), and risks from general anaesthesia. These risks are also seen with open surgery and tend to be reduced when using a laparoscopic technique performed by an experienced surgeon. Each operation carries its own unique risks that your surgeon will explain to you prior to your consenting to surgery.
Most patients are able to go home within 24 hours of gallstones laparoscopic surgery. The soreness around the cut ends (incisional pain) and shoulder pain from gas under the diaphragm resolves within 3-5 days for most patients. Patients usually return to desk work within 1-2 weeks and full-on physical activity within 3-4 weeks after surgery. Contrast this with open cholecystectomy which requires 5-7 days in hospital and 6-8 weeks to recover. That is why laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the worldwide standard of care for gallstones.
Most inguinal (groin) and umbilical hernias can be repaired using laparoscopic hernia surgery. Very large hernias, incisional hernias where there has been multiple prior abdominal surgery, or emergency (strangulated) hernias may need open surgery. Your surgeon will advise you after careful clinical examination and ultrasound or CT imaging if needed. Laparoscopic repair is particularly advantageous if you have bilateral inguinal hernias (one on each side). With laparoscopic repair, both sides can be fixed at the same time through the same surgical cuts.
Laparoscopic hysterectomy is now the preferred approach to hysterectomy in most women. There may be exceptions in cases of extremely large fibroids that fill up the whole pelvis, suspicion of cancer that requires a different surgical approach, or prior multiple abdominal surgeries that have left significant scar tissue (adhesions). Your gynaecologist and surgical team will take these factors into account when discussing your individual surgical risks and options. Overall the trend in modern gynaecological surgery is strongly toward laparoscopic surgery whenever it can safely be performed.
Once symptomatic gallstones have caused pain, they will usually cause recurrent pain. The decision is usually not whether to have the operation, but rather when to have it done. Gallbladder surgery becomes more urgent if you have fever and high white cell count (blood test showing infection and inflammation cholecystitis), jaundice (stones in the bile duct), severe constant intractable pain, or suspicion of gallbladder cancer. Uncomplicated but symptomatic gallstones are usually operated on electively within weeks to months. Do not let that symptomatic gallstone become an emergency you are much safer and will recover easier from an elective laparoscopic operation.