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When Laparoscopy Might Be Necessary

No one relishes the thought of surgery. But sometimes, surgery is necessary to diagnose medical issues, prevent complications, and preserve your health.

As an elite general surgeon, Elvira Klause, MD, FACS, brings the latest in surgical technology to her patients. She specializes in laparoscopy, one of the most popular minimally invasive surgical techniques today.

Laparoscopy gets its name from the laparoscope. A laparoscope is a very small fiber-optic camera that Dr. Klause inserts into your body through a small incision. The camera projects images of your insides onto a screen in the operating room, giving the doctor and our team a better view of the surgery site.

Laparoscopic surgery requires much smaller incisions than traditional open surgery, and Dr. Klause uses small, specialized tools to maneuver within your body. If you need surgery, it’s time to learn more about laparoscopy and what it can do.

Common laparoscopic procedures

Dr. Klause uses laparoscopy to do a variety of abdominal procedures. Two of the most common laparoscopic procedures are hernia repair and gallbladder removal. 

Laparoscopy is also a popular method to identify and treat gynecologic conditions, including ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, cysts, and pelvic inflammatory disease.

Although laparoscopic surgery can treat abdominal and gynecologic conditions, it’s used for diagnostic purposes, too. Dr. Klause may recommend exploratory laparoscopy or biopsy if you have an abnormal growth or tumor in your abdomen.

During a laparoscopic biopsy, Dr. Klause takes a small tissue sample from an abnormal growth, which is then tested for signs of cancer. In some cases, Dr. Klause may remove the growth with laparoscopy as well.

When to consider laparoscopy

Most people don’t know they need abdominal surgery until they go to the doctor. Abdominal issues like hernias or gallbladder problems can include symptoms like:

Don’t ignore the signs of abdominal discomfort. Dr. Klause specializes in diagnosing the cause of your symptoms, so you can find relief.

If you need abdominal surgery, talk with Dr. Klause about your options. Laparoscopic surgery is customizable for many different medical conditions, and it could be a good choice for your health.

The benefits of laparoscopy

Most laparoscopic procedures require incisions that are about half an inch long. You might have several of these small incisions in your abdomen depending on your procedure. Compared to traditional surgery, laparoscopic incisions are much smaller.

Smaller incisions mean less trauma to surrounding tissue and smaller scars once you’ve healed. Laparoscopic surgery also offers a lower risk of blood loss, infection, and surgery-related complications.

People who get laparoscopic surgery typically experience shorter hospital stays and less pain during recovery, which means you can get back to your regular activities faster. In fact, you could be moving about as usual in as little as the day after laparoscopic surgery.

When you need surgery, laparoscopy could be a good option for you. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Klause to learn more about our surgical procedures. Contact us online or call our San Clemente, California, office at 949-393-2595.

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