The idea in brief
A camera is passed through a small opening near the navel, and the abdomen is gently inflated with a safe gas to create working space. Instruments enter through two or three further openings, and the surgeon watches a magnified view on a screen.
When is it used?
- Gallbladder removal.
- Appendix removal.
- Repair of some hernias.
- Looking for the cause of unclear abdominal pain.
It is not always the right choice
Many previous abdominal operations, severe inflammation, or an unstable emergency may make open surgery safer. Converting from keyhole to an open incision during the operation is a safety decision, not a failure.
Recovery
Pain is usually less and movement returns sooner, and many patients go home the same day. Mild shoulder-tip pain afterwards is common because of the gas, and settles within a day or two.
This article is for general education and does not replace a medical examination or your doctor’s advice.
