Expert Lists Benefits Of Laparoscopy

A medical doctor in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Dr. Emeka Ray-Offor, has said that Laparoscopic Procedures has enormous benefits in diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Ray-Offor who stated this while commenting on the success of the first Laparoscopic Appendectomy undertaken at UPTH recently said, “like the appendectomy we did, that was to treat something, but it can also be used in diagnosing problems like acute abdominal pains and lower abdominal pain in women”.

He also said that it can be used to  estimate the extent and spread of cancer and anticipate the treatment that should be given.

Describing the procedure as minimal access surgery,  Ray-Offor said Laparoscopy is a procedure where tiny incisions are made on the part of the body to be treated and equally tiny photographic equipment are passed into the incisions through which the diseased part can be observed on a video monitor.

Ray-Offer noted that it can be used in pediatric surgery, which according to him, can be used to view and visualise the inner part of the abdomen of  a child with undescended testis and treatment given.

According to him , it is also beneficial in gall bladder removal, adding that the advantages of the procedure, include quick recovery.” Within 24 to 48 hours after surgery, the patient would be out of the hospital and fully recovered to resume work within one week”.

He added that less post surgery pain and less wound complications  gives the procedure more advantage over the open surgical procedures and urged the public to avail themselves of the opportunity.