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Conventional (Open) Surgery vs Laparoscopic Surgery |  Max Hospital

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Conventional (Open) Surgery vs Laparoscopic Surgery

By Dr. Neeraj Goyal in General Surgery , Laparoscopic / Minimal Access Surgery , Robotic Surgery

Jul 23 , 2024 | 2 min read

The main differences between conventional surgery and laparoscopic surgery lie in their approach, techniques, recovery times, and potential benefits and drawbacks:

Approach and Technique:

  • Conventional surgery: Also known as open surgery, it involves making a large incision to access the surgical area directly. The surgeon can see and touch the organs directly with their hands and traditional surgical instruments.
  • Laparoscopic surgery: Also called minimally invasive surgery, it uses small incisions (usually around 0.5 to 1.5 cm) through which a laparoscope (a thin, lighted tube with a camera) and other specialised surgical instruments are inserted. The surgeon performs the surgery while viewing magnified images from the laparoscope on a monitor.

Visibility and Precision:

  • Conventional surgery: Provides direct access to the surgical site, allowing for tactile feedback and precise manoeuvring of instruments.
  • Laparoscopic surgery: This type of surgery relies on the video feed from the laparoscope for visualisation. This feed provides a magnified view but lacks tactile feedback, requiring the surgeon to adapt to a different depth and perspective.

Recovery Time:

  • Conventional surgery: Typically involves a longer recovery period due to the larger incision, which may require more time for healing and pain management.
  • Laparoscopic surgery: Generally results in a shorter recovery time and less post-operative pain because it involves smaller incisions, reduces trauma to surrounding tissues, and causes fewer complications like infections.

Scarring:

  • Conventional surgery: Leaves a larger scar at the incision site, which may be more noticeable and take longer to fade.
  • Laparoscopic surgery: Leaves several small scars, each typically less than 1.5 cm in length, which are generally less noticeable and may fade more quickly.

Benefits and Drawbacks:

  • Conventional Surgery:
  • Benefits: Direct access for surgeons, effective for complex procedures.
  • Drawbacks: Higher risk of infection, more extended hospital stays, more post-operative pain, slower recovery.
  • Laparoscopic Surgery:
  • Benefits: Reduced trauma, faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, less post-operative pain, lower risk of infection.
  • Drawbacks: It requires specialised training for surgeons and may not be suitable for all procedures or patients (e.g., obese patients, extensive surgeries).

Suitability:

  • Conventional Surgery: Often preferred for complex surgeries where direct access and tactile feedback are critical.
  • Laparoscopic Surgery: Preferred for many routine procedures and surgeries where minimally invasive techniques can achieve the same outcomes with less trauma and faster recovery.

In summary, while conventional and laparoscopic surgery aim to achieve the same surgical goals, they differ significantly in their approach, techniques, recovery times, and associated benefits and drawbacks. Their choice often depends on the specific medical condition, the patient's health status, and the surgeon's expertise and preference.

Dr. Neeraj Goyal, Associate Director, Laparoscopic, Laser, Robotic, and General Surgery