Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgery

Gynecologic Laparoscopic Surgery

A new option for women is laparoscopic surgery in gynecology, which is a surgical procedure aimed at treating abnormalities of the internal reproductive organs in women, such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and nearby organs. The procedure involves using a camera that magnifies the image by about 10-20 times, inserted into the abdomen through a small incision. This allows the surgeon to clearly see the abnormal tissue and organs that require surgical intervention, and to use surgical instruments with a diameter of approximately 5 millimeters to perform the surgery. Therefore, patients will only have about 3-4 incisions on the abdomen, each approximately 5-10 millimeters in size.

Laparoscopic surgery can treat several conditions, including:

• Abnormal menstrual periods caused by fibroids or thickening of the lining of the uterus
• Pain caused by ovarian cysts or endometriosis
• Pain during menstruation due to chocolate cysts
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Other conditions such as infertility diagnosis, tubal sterilization, and dye injection for fallopian tube examination

However, there are some contraindications for laparoscopic surgery in gynecology, including:

1. Severe heart or lung disease

2. Intestinal obstruction.

Postoperative Condition:

After surgery, the patient will have an IV line in one arm and small incisions, typically 3-4, which may cause discomfort or a sore throat due to the breathing tube used during anesthesia.

Postoperative Care:

1. After surgery, it is recommended to lie on your side and move your body on the bed. Within 24 hours, you should sit up and walk around quickly to promote rapid recovery and reduce the risk of complications, such as bloating or intestinal obstruction.
2. If you experience pain from the surgical incisions, inform the nurse so that pain relief medication can be administered.
3. If you experience a tight, squeezing sensation in the throat that radiates to the shoulder, rest on the bed until the symptoms subside.
4. If you experience nausea or vomiting (a side effect of anesthesia), inform the nurse so that medication can be given to relieve symptoms.
5. There may be some vaginal bleeding after surgery, so it is recommended to use a sanitary pad.
6. After surgery, you should be able to urinate on your own. If you cannot urinate or have difficulty urinating, notify the nurse.

Postoperative care at home:

When returning home after surgery, there are certain things that should be taken into consideration.

1. Firstly, it is important to consume nutritious food to help nourish the body. Vegetables and fruits should be consumed to facilitate comfortable bowel movements.
2. Taking a shower is allowed, but it is important to observe the wound area afterwards for any signs of plastic sticking or water seeping into the surgical incision.
3. Sexual activity should be avoided until the wound has fully healed and has been checked by a medical professional.
4. Heavy lifting and strenuous activity should be avoided during the first week after surgery. However, walking up and down stairs is allowed. If there are no signs of pain or discomfort, normal work and exercise can resume within 7-10 days after surgery.
5. If there are any abnormal symptoms, it is important to consult with a medical professional before the next scheduled appointment.

Abnormal symptoms that require medical attention include:

1. An inflamed incision area that is swollen, red or has pus
2. A continuous high fever for 2-3 days
3. Severe abdominal pain accompanied by vomiting after eating
4. Heavy bleeding from the vaginal area.

In cases where both ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed via laparoscopy, some women may experience symptoms due to a lack of female hormones. These symptoms include hot flashes, excessive sweating, palpitations, muscle aches, joint pains, and mood swings. It is important to inform the doctor to consider hormone replacement therapy.

Best wishes from the Department of Ob-Gyn, Vibhavadi Hospital