Laparoscopic Surgery: Innovative and Safe Surgery with Fast Recovery

• Laparoscopic surgery is a form of minimally invasive surgery that is both highly effective and widely adopted due to the 2-4 tiny incisions of just 0.5–1cm which are made in the patient’s abdomen.
• The benefits of laparoscopic surgery are its lack of pain during the recovery stage, minimal blood loss, and decreased impact to nearby organs, thus reducing the likelihood of complications. Patients are able to recover and return to their daily tasks more quickly following the procedure.
• However, laparoscopic surgeries must only be performed by expert surgeons who have vast experience in this field in order to ensure the risks posed to patients are minimized. Due to factors that can affect a patient’s suitability for this type of surgery, any decisions on who can undergo this form of surgery must be made by the doctor in charge of treatment.
   

Laparoscopic surgery involves making small incisions in the patient’s abdomen, through which a tiny camera and surgical device called a laparoscope is inserted to assess the state of the internal organs. Considered a form of minimally invasive surgery, this method offers various benefits, such as reduced scarring, pain, and blood loss, while also decreasing the impact on nearby organs and thus reducing the likelihood of complications arising from the procedure. Patients are able to recover and return to their daily tasks more quickly when compared to traditional open forms of surgery.

Nevertheless, laparoscopic surgery must only be performed by expert surgeons with vast experience in order to ensure that the risks posed to patients are minimized. In addition, certain factors can affect a patient’s suitability for this type of surgery, so any decisions on whether a patient can undergo this type of surgery must be made by the doctor in charge of treatment.

• Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) 
  A form of surgery used to remove the patient’s gallbladder, this procedure is currently widely used to treat gallstones. Except in cases where other associated conditions require consideration, it is not advised that stones be removed with an incision into the gallbladder because there is a risk that new stones will form soon after. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is therefore considered one of the most efficient and effective forms of treatment for gallstones, with its minimally invasive nature yet another benefit of its use.
  Patients undergoing this procedure experience much less pain and fewer complications than those undergoing open abdominal surgery. Surgeons may detect previously undiagnosed conditions during laparoscopic procedures, such as cholecystitis, various layers of membrane surrounding the gallbladder, or other associated disorders that can affect the efficacy of surgery and require the surgeons to alter their strategy to an open form of surgery. However, the decision to do so is entirely at the discretion of the doctor in charge of treatment.
• Laparoscopic appendectomy
  A form of laparoscopic surgery used to remove an inflamed appendix through abdominal incisions, this minimally invasive procedure is considered to have various benefits, including rapid recovery times and a fast return to daily tasks following the surgery due to reduced likelihood of complications. However, there are certain limitations to this form of treatment, with severe cases of appendicitis or those involving an infection spreading to nearby organs being unsuitable for this technique. Furthermore, this procedure must only be performed by expert surgeons with vast experience in this type of surgery in order to ensure the risks posed to patients are minimized.
• Laparoscopic hernioplasty
  A form of laparoscopic surgery used to treat a hernia, this technique involves surgeons making tiny incisions in the patient’s abdomen, through which the laparoscope and other equipment is passed to treat the hernia. Once the procedure has been completed, surgeons will place mesh over the incisions and stitch them up to strengthen the abdominal area.
• Laparoscopic colectomy
  A form of laparoscopic surgery used to remove some or all of the colon, this procedure is used to treat various colon disorders, such as colon cancer, bowel obstruction, and chronic ulcerative colitis. Surgeons begin by making incisions in the abdomen measuring just 0.5–1cm in length, through which the laparoscope and surgical equipment can be passed to perform the procedure.
• Laparoscopic lysis of adhesion
  There is a risk of adhesion occurring when certain forms of surgery are performed, including rectal surgery and hysterectomy procedures, with said adhesion often involving a membrane forming around internal organs. Fibrous or sheet-like membranes can cause adhesion within the abdomen or between the intestines, which could result in swelling or pain in the affected region. This form of laparoscopic surgery is used to remove the membrane and alleviate any pain associated with it.
• Laparoscopic gastrectomy
  This form of laparoscopic surgery can be used to remove part or all of the stomach. Laparoscopic surgery can be used to treat stomach cancer or gastrointestinal perforation. The technique is also highly effective in reducing the chance of complications, and any scarring left behind is almost invisible to the naked eye.
• Laparoscopic gynecologic surgery
  This is a highly efficient and effective form of surgery used to treat gynecologic conditions. It involves inserting the laparoscope in through the patient’s abdomen to diagnose and treat any gynecological conditions occurring in the pelvic region. The types of conditions and procedures suited to this form of treatment include:
  • Various types of cystic ovary
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Endometriosis
  • Pelvic adhesion
  • Initial-stage endometrial cancer
  • Initial-stage cervical cancer
  • Dry heat sterilization
  • Ectopic pregnancy
  • Diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic chronic pelvic pain
  • Detection of issues causing infertility and diagnosis of ovarian disorders
• Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES)
  Natural orifice surgery is a form of surgery that has been developed using laparoscopic techniques. This method involves inserting the laparoscope via a natural orifice, such as the mouth, rectum, or vagina. It is therefore considered a good choice for medical staff and patients who do not wish to make incisions on the body. An example of a NOTES procedure would be entry through the vagina to perform surgery on the pelvic region. Entry through the orifice is made possible by the tiny size of the laparoscope and other equipment used in the procedure. Additionally, as this surgery can be performed via a natural orifice, it means the patient will not be left with any outward marks resulting from the procedure, which makes it attractive to many patients, including those who may wish to avoid scarring on their abdomen. Patients undergoing these procedures tend to experience only slight back pain that is much less than they would feel if they underwent other laparoscopic procedures. Recovery times are also accelerated with this technique. Nonetheless, there are limitations to who is suited to such procedures, with the doctors in charge of treatment ultimately responsible for assessing the situation and deciding on the form of surgery most suited to the individual patient’s needs.
  
  In terms of gynecological procedures, this form of surgery can be used to treat some types of uterine fibroids, some types of ovarian cysts, and endometriosis. Furthermore, oral entry techniques are also possible, and these can enable the treatment of certain thyroid disorders without the need for incisions.
• Hysteroscopy
  A technique used to diagnose and treat endometrial disorders, this procedure involves inserting a scope or small camera into the area through the cervix to assess the situation and to treat any issues previously detected without the need to make incisions in the patient’s abdomen, thus reducing any esthetic impact. Additionally, this technique significantly reduces post-surgery back pain and enables rapid recovery. Gynecologists use this procedure for a range of endometrial procedures, including for the detection and diagnosis of endometrial irregularities, the diagnosis of endometrial cancer, the diagnosis of endometrial tumors or polyps, or the screening of the endometrium prior to fertilization.

These procedures involve making 2–4 incisions of 0.5–1cm in length in the patient’s abdomen, through which the laparoscope and surgical equipment is passed to perform the operation. The cameras provide surgeons with a high-resolution image of the patient’s interior on a monitor so that they can maneuver the equipment into place before performing the procedure. This enables a high degree of accuracy and safety. Once the operation is complete, the laparoscope and equipment are removed, and the incisions are stitched up.

Thailand has highly skilled surgeons with vast experience in a range of surgical fields. At Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital, Bangkok, our surgeons have undergone specialized training – both at home and abroad – to improve their understanding of these procedures. Most importantly, there is a high level of cooperation between surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nursing professionals. 

Operating theaters are Critical Care Complexes equipped with a full range of medical devices and the latest technologies used to provide internationally recognized standards of care. We are proud to have created a critical care complex that sets a new benchmark for medical excellence in Thailand and provides strong technological advances in the following areas:

• Monitors displaying 3D images in HD: 3D-4K surgical technology provides surgeons with a 3-dimensional image that is clearer than ever. These monitors and 3D images allow surgeons to see a high-resolution image of the internal organs, which helps them gauge distance and utilize equipment with greater accuracy. The system also has settings for reducing shade as it displays colors that are extremely close to reality, making for even greater clarity on the monitor. All of this reduces the likelihood of mistakes, thus accelerating the procedure and improving the levels of safety achieved.
• 3D laparoscopic surgery devices with light adjustment capabilities: Surgeons can set their desired light and temperature levels in advance of procedures, which helps them explore the area being operated on with greater clarity, as previously shaded sections can be lit up. This improves the accuracy and efficacy of surgeries, improving the overall quality and reducing the time patients spend in the operating theater.
• Blue light technology: This system helps make the images displayed to surgeons during procedures much clearer, which reduces surgery times and accelerates patient recovery times.
• Antibacterial operating theater walls: Our operating theaters are the first in Thailand to install specially coated glass walls that are seamlessly connected, making the cleaning process simpler and reducing the chance of bacteria build up, significantly decreasing infection risk. The walls have also been inlaid with lead to prevent radiation leakage.  
• Laminar Airflow systems: Air filtration ensures a pure air zone inside the operating area, reducing the risk of infection, which is the main area of concern in all forms of surgery.
• Positive pressure operating theaters: Our operating theaters are specially designed positive pressure environments that remove dust and airborne bacteria, while also preventing the entry of all forms of germs when the door to the theater is opened. This ensures that the highest level of cleanliness is maintained at all times.
• Disinfection: All our cleaning and disinfecting equipment has been accredited for use in medical settings.

Samitivej prioritizes cleanliness, safety, and remaining infection free during the COVID-19 pandemic, by preparing all areas of our hospitals to instill the highest level of confidence possible among our service users. Such measures rely on the principles of prevention outlined by the Ministry of Public Health. 

Medical staff will carefully assess each patient requiring emergency care or immediate surgical treatment to determine whether they should receive COVID-19 screening via a rapid test or real-time PCR test.

• Treatment Plan Consultation with a doctor via online video-call (second opinion)
• Treatment Planning if you have medical records or a price estimate from another hospital 
• Cost Planning by our Appraisals Team with price guarantee (only for procedure packages without complications)
• Check Initial Coverage Eligibility with Thai and international insurance companies (only for insurance companies in contract with the Hospital)
   

• Pakpong Wathanaoran, M.D., Surgeon
• Santi Pongphantarak, M.D., Obstetrician and Gynecologist