Wellness
Ipoh Echo spoke to Dr Divakaran, Resident Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist and Fetal Medicine of KPJ Ipoh Specialist Hospital about laparoscopic surgery. An obstetrician–gynaecologist (O&G) is a doctor who specialises in the health care of women.
Dr Divakaran started his practice at KPJ Ipoh Specialist Hospital in December 2005 as a Resident Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist. He was attached to several hospitals in Perak, Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Sarawak General Hospital, Watford General Hospital and Birmingham Women’s Hospital in England. Apart from his profession as a Consultant O&G, Dr Divakaran was a senior lecturer in O&G for Perak College of Medicine and an honorary senior lecturer in O&G for University of Sheffield, England (2003-2005).
According to Dr Divakaran, laparoscopic surgery or keyhole surgery is a modern surgical technique in which operations are performed far from their location through small incisions (usually 1-2cm) in the body.
Why is laparoscopy performed?
Many surgical procedures that used to be performed through larger abdominal incisions are now performed laparoscopically. Laparoscopic surgery is most commonly used in gynaecology to study the conditions affecting the female reproductive system.
During the surgery, the laparoscope will be inserted through the incision. The camera attached to the laparoscope will display the images on a screen, allowing your doctor to see your organs in real time.
Laparoscopy is carried out under general anaesthesia, so patients will not feel any pain during the procedure.
Laparoscopy has many uses. It includes the diagnosis and the removal of ovarian cyst, hysterectomy (removal of womb) and infertility treatment. Many surgical procedures that used to be performed through larger abdominal incisions are now performed laparoscopically.
What are the benefits of laparoscopy?
The popularity of laparoscopic surgery is mainly because of the advantages that it offers to the patient. Usually these procedures are more technically challenging for the surgeon so additional skill and training are required to perform them safely.
The surgeons at KPJ Ipoh Specialist Hospital have extensive training in advanced laparoscopy.
Compared with traditional surgery, laparoscopic surgery has reduced risk of infection, it is less painful, a shorter hospital stay with quicker recovery, smaller surgical scars and an earlier return to normal activities.
For more information, call Dr Divakaran of KPJ Ipoh Specialist Hospital at 05-240 8777 (Ext: 410).
