Who is a Laparoscopic Surgeon?
Laparoscopic surgeons perform the modern surgical technique called laparoscopic surgery, which is also known as keyhole surgery or minimally invasive surgery (MIS).
Laparoscopic surgery is an operation carried out by making small incisions in the abdominal or pelvic area. Laparoscopy is performed using a laparoscope, which an optic fibre system, a lighted telescope that helps the doctor have a view of the inside of the body.
As laparoscopy involves minor cutting, it has umpteen advantages over the traditional form of surgery:
- Scars are smaller
- Shorter stay at the hospital
- Speedy recovery/healing — traditional surgery can take up to 4-8 weeks to heal whereas laparoscopy reduces that time to 2-3 weeks to 24 hours in some cases.
- Less painful
- Least possible blood loss
- Minimal internal scarring
- Prevent infections that might arise due to the conventional form of surgery like chest infection, or infection at the site of surgery
When should you see a Laparoscopic Surgeon?
When your test results (X-rays, CT scan, ultrasound and MRI) and other noninvasive methods fail to identify the source of your pain, you will be advised to get a laparoscopy. Laparoscopic surgeon in Video Consultation will help diagnose the root cause of the pain in the abdominal and/or pelvic area.
You might be referred to a laparoscopic surgeon for the identification, examination, and treatment of the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Conditions of the female reproductive system
- Hernia
- Fluid in the abdominal cavity
- Intestinal conditions
- Liver and gallbladder issues
- Tumor and cancer (i.e., its progress)
What is the Most Common Concern in Pakistan Relevant to Laparoscopy?
According to the “Laparoscopic Devices Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis” over 13 million laparoscopic procedures are performed globally every year. Cholecystectomy (surgical removal of the gallbladder) is one the most common laparoscopic procedure, not only worldwide but in Pakistan as well.
Laparoscopy has proved instrumental in diagnosing female infertility. According to “Laparoscopic Appraisal of Infertility and Pelvic Pain in Pakistani Women: AS Years Audit” out of 509 procedures:
|
Laparoscopic Examination (for)
|
Number of procedures
|
|
Gynaecological pelvic pain
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147
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Infertility
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313
|
However, laparoscopic procedures are becoming increasing popular for weight loss surgery known as Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery including sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and gastric bands.
What are the main areas of concern for Laparoscopic Surgeons?
With laparoscopy taking over the conventional, open surgeries, laparoscopic procedures are being incorporated to examine and perform multiple operations:
- Cholecystectomy: Removal of gallbladder
- Hernia surgery
- Splenectomy: Removal of the spleen
- Hepatectomy: Removal of part of the liver
- Pancreatectomy: Removal of part of the pancreas
- Appendectomy: Removal of infected appendix
- Colon surgery: Removal of polyps and colon cancer
- Stomach surgery: Removal of tumour in the stomach
- Bariatric surgery: gastric bypass and other weight loss surgeries
What Kinds of Laparoscopic Surgeons are There?
Following is the list of surgeons who can perform laparoscopy:
- General Surgeons
- Paediatric Surgeons (infants, children, and adolescent)
- Obstetrician-gynaecologists (women’s health and pregnancy specialists)
- Colon and rectal surgeons (small intestine, colon, rectum, and anus, plus intestine-related conditions of the liver, urinary tract, and female reproductive system)
- Urologists (urinary tract and the male reproductive organs)
How to Become a Laparoscopic Surgeon in Pakistan?
Below is the step-by-step guide to become a laparoscopic surgeon in Video Consultation
- Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)
- House Job
- Post-Graduation — MS General Surgery or Fellow of College of Physicians and Surgeons in Pakistan (FCPS)
- Register with College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSP) and pass FCPS-I
- Start your training for two years
- After two years, you will have to appear for the Intermediate Module (IMM) Exam
- Complete another two years of training and pass FCPS-II to become a qualified general surgeon
- If you wish to opt for a specialized field of surgery then you will have train for another year and your FCPS will be completed in 5 years.
- Register with the Pakistan Medical Council (PMC)
- Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS)
- Post-residency fellowship (a one-year program for sub-specialization)
What are Laparoscopic Surgeons called in Pakistan?
A laparoscopic surgeon in Video Consultation is also referred to as a:
- General surgeon
- Weight loss surgeon
- Cancer specialist
- Urologist
- کیہول سرجری
