Surgical Techniques
Laparoscopic or laparoscopic assisted surgery
Laparoscopic or keyhole surgery involves carrying out an operation using cameras and instruments introduced through small incisions or ports in the abdomen. A gas, carbon dioxide, is introduced to provide a space within the abdomen for the surgeon to carry out the operation. The bowel and other organs can be examined. The affected piece of bowel can be removed. A slightly larger opening is needed to remove the section of bowel from the body. Laparoscopic assisted surgery is very similar to laparoscopic surgery except that the surgeon uses a larger opening to carry out the operation as well as remove the section of bowel. Occasionally the surgeon may find that it is not possible to safely complete an operation purely using the keyhole technique in which case they will need to make an incision or cut and carry out the procedure as for a conventional operation. This is known as conversion and may occur in 10-15% of cases.
Laparoscopic and laparoscopic assisted surgery may be suitable for some patients with colorectal cancer or other bowel conditions.
Conventional surgery on the bowel usually involves an incision (cut) in the abdominal wall and the surgeon will carry out all the surgery through this incision.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recently recommended laparoscopic and laparoscopic assisted surgery as an alternative to open surgery for people with colorectal cancer if both laparoscopic and open surgery are suitable for the person and their condition their surgeon has been trained in laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer and performs the operation often enough to maintain their skills.
Further information on these recommendations can be found on the NICE website www.nice.org.uk