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Open vs keyhole surgery

Dr Roger Henderson
Reviewed by Dr Roger HendersonReviewed on 13.10.2023 | 3 minutes read
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Surgery falls into two broad categories: open surgery and minimally invasive surgery, also called laparoscopic surgery or keyhole surgery. Laparoscopic surgery has become the preferred option for many types of operations in recent decades, as it has some advantages over open surgery, but overall the outcomes of success for both procedures are similar.

What is open surgery?

Open surgery is a traditional method of surgery and is the most common. The doctor makes a large incision through the skin and tissues using a blade called a scalpel, and this creates a hole to get a full view and access to organs if they need to be repaired, removed or replaced. The incision is then closed with stitches and possibly staples.

There are times when it is more advantageous to have open surgery, for example, for emergency operations, complicated surgeries or those requiring access to large organs.

An appendicectomy is a good example. Your appendix is usually removed in appendicitis as an emergency as it's inflamed and causing you illness and pain. it can be done as open or laparoscopic, but open surgery is more likely if you have developed a severe infection or the appendix has burst.

What is laparoscopic surgery?

Here's how laparoscopic surgery works:

  1. Small incisions. Instead of making a large incision, the surgeon makes several small incisions (typically 0.5 to 1.5 centimetres in length) in the abdomen. These tiny incisions serve as entry points for the surgical instruments and the laparoscope.

  2. Insertion of laparoscope. A laparoscope, which is a long, thin tube equipped with a high-resolution camera and light source, is inserted through one of the incisions. The camera provides a magnified, high-definition view of the internal organs on a monitor in the operating room, allowing the surgeon to visualize the surgical area in detail.

  3. Surgical instruments. Additional specialized instruments, such as graspers, scissors, dissectors, and cautery devices, are inserted through the other incisions. These instruments are manipulated by the surgeon to perform the surgical procedure with precision and accuracy.

  4. Procedure. Using the images from the laparoscope as a guide, the surgeon performs the surgical procedure. The instruments are used to manipulate tissues, remove diseased or damaged organs, repair defects, or perform other necessary interventions.

  5. Closure. After completing the procedure, the instruments are removed, and the small incisions are closed with sutures or surgical tape. Because the incisions are small, they typically require fewer sutures and heal more quickly than traditional open surgery incisions.

Laparoscopic surgery offers several advantages over traditional open surgery, including:

  • Reduced trauma. Smaller incisions result in less trauma to the surrounding tissues, leading to less pain, bleeding, and scarring.
  • Faster recovery. Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery often experience shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and earlier return to normal activities compared to open surgery.
  • Improved cosmetic outcome. The small incisions used in laparoscopic surgery result in less visible scars, providing a better cosmetic outcome for patients.

Laparoscopic surgery is used to perform a wide range of abdominal and pelvic procedures, including cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal), appendectomy, hernia repair, gastric bypass surgery, hysterectomy, and colorectal surgery, among others. Arthroscopic surgery is a type of keyhole surgery. However, not all surgeries are suitable for the laparoscopic approach, and the decision to perform laparoscopic surgery depends on various factors, including the patient's medical history, the complexity of the procedure, and the surgeon's expertise.

Why choose one over another?

There are many differences between open and laparoscopic surgery. Laparoscopic surgery makes much smaller incisions than open surgery, which speeds up recovery time.

During the operation, there’s less blood loss and trauma, afterwards there’s less risk of infection, pain and problems with wound healing. Therefore patients are on their feet sooner, needing less painkillers and less time staying in hospital. There’s less of a scar, too. All of this makes it more favourable for most patients and surgeons, and is more likely for planned - or elective - operations.

Open surgery is better for extensive surgery, for example in the abdomen, or in certain emergencies.

Are there any negatives of laparoscopic surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery requires more technology and so is more expensive, and therefore may only be available in certain specialist centres. It can also be difficult for more complex surgeries or ones requiring access to a large amount of the abdomen. Laparoscopy is also performed under general anaesthesia, where you are put to sleep, unlike open surgery, which can sometimes be done under local anaesthetic.

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Dr Roger Henderson
Reviewed by Dr Roger Henderson
Reviewed on 13.10.2023
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