Limiting Blood Loss Through Laparoscopic Surgery
Spring 2004
In minimally invasive, or laparoscopic, surgery,
the surgeon uses small incisions (each 1/4 or
1/2 inch long) to access the desired area. The
laparoscope is a probe–like tool with a
video camera attached. The surgeon inserts the
laparoscope through one of the incisions and
is able to see a magnified view of the patient’s
organs on a television monitor.
During laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery,
the stomach is reduced through these small incisions,
creating a small pouch that is severed from the
remaining stomach. A loop of intestine is created
to attach the pouch, bypassing the stomach and
the upper intestine. Gastric bypass surgery restricts
the amount of food the stomach can hold.
What are the benefits of laparoscopic gastric
bypass surgery?
Compared to open surgical techniques, minimally invasive surgery provides the
patient with a faster recovery time and less pain following surgery.
Since this procedure requires only minor incisions
and less healing time, patients are able to leave
the hospital and return to their normal activities
more quickly. Laparoscopy is setting new standards
for patient care, allowing surgeons to perform
operations without the trauma and pain of an
open surgical procedure. Due to the skill of
today’s surgeons and advances in technology,
laparoscopic techniques are being applied to
a growing number of procedures and may one day
replace open surgical techniques performed in
many specialties. Patients who desire bloodless
surgery prefer the laparoscopic method, since
the amount of blood lost is much less than during
traditional, open surgery.
What are the risk factors?
It is important to remember that a “less invasive” approach is
beneficial in many ways, but also carries the same risks as traditional surgery.
The risks associated with laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery include infection,
lung and heart complications, blood clot formation and leaks from the intestinal
reattachment.
Laparoscopic surgery is not right for everyone.
The decision to perform an operation laparoscopically
depends on a patient’s height, weight,
body weight distribution and prior abdominal
surgical history. Talk with your physician about
your surgical options to find out if you could
be a candidate for this type of procedure.
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