Microlaparoscopy: The Non-Bandaid Surgery
One of the newest
areas in minimally invasive gynecological surgery is microlaparoscopy. By using a
microlaparoscope, physicians can replace an incision of up to 10 millimeters with one that
is just two millimeters or 1/11 inch. "The microlaparoscope allows for diagnosis of
many problems in a doctor's office or outpatient unit without general anesthesia,"
says Dr. Koh. "This makes the procedure safer and the recovery time less than one
hour. Unlike traditional laparoscopic surgery which has been referred to as 'band-aid'
surgery, microlaparoscopy does not require a single stitch or band-aid. That's why it is
called 'non-band-aid surgery.'"
Even newer in the area of
microlaparoscopy is interactive diagnosis, generally used for women with obscure pelvic
pain. Performed on a fully awake patient, the procedure involves touching various internal
areas with the tiny scope while at the same time asking the woman to identify the
intensity and location of pain.