Explanation

Keyhole surgery, also called laparoscopic surgery is done through tiny holes - keyholes! It is done using a camera and monitor and tiny instruments.

Just like before having normal surgery, you have a general anaesthetic, so you are asleep during the operation and don't feel a thing. You will spend less time in hospital than if you have a normal operation, and also your scars will be very, very small!

Why do I need one?

Keyhole surgery is used for lots of different types of operations. For example, if you have Crohn's disease, a doctor can remove the damaged part of your intestine using keyhole surgery, just by watching what's happening on the screen!

You can also have it for other gastrointestinal problems, and general problems that need surgery.

What happens before I have it?

Your doctor might give you some instructions to tell you exactly what to do, so make sure you follow them! You may be told that you shouldn't eat or drink for some time before you have the surgery.

Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any allergies or other medical problems before the surgery.

How is it done?

You will be given a general anaesthetic first, and when you have gone to sleep, a doctor will put a small metal tube, called a cannula, into your belly button. He or she will then put a small video camera through the tube, and can then see inside you just by looking at a TV screen, the monitor, which is connected to the camera.

The doctor will then inflate your abdomen with air, like a balloon! This makes more space for the surgical instruments. Next, the doctor will make tiny cuts on your tummy to put the instruments in through. These tiny cuts are the keyholes! After the operation, the doctor will stitch up the keyholes again, and soon afterwards you will wake up.

Keyhole surgery lasts a bit longer than normal operations - usually between 1.5 and 4 hours.

Will it hurt?

You won't feel a thing because you will have had a general anaesthetic first.

What happens next?

The doctor or nurse will give you some pain killers. You will probably get the pain killers as an injection, either into the bottom of your back or into the back of your hand.

You may also have a tube put into your nose, which goes straight to your tummy. This is nothing to worry about, it just lets the doctors get food or medicines into you very quickly.

You might not feel like eating or drinking anything after the surgery, so make sure you tell your doctor. He or she may then give you nutrients and water intravenously, so you get everything you need. The good thing about keyhole surgery is that you get better much more quickly than after having normal surgery! So, you might be able to go home from hospital as soon as the next day afterwards!

What if I have any more questions?

If you have any other questions, you can ask your doctor, or chat to other people about keyhole surgery in the Medikidz forums and virtual world, Mediland.