Pediatric laparoscopic surgery

What is pediatric laparoscopic surgery?

Laparoscopic surgery can be used to treat conditions affecting any abdominal or pelvic organ, including the stomach, gallbladder, liver, intestines, appendix, colon, kidney, spleen and ovaries.

During laparoscopic surgery, surgeons create a few tiny incisions that are less than ¼ inch long. These incisions are much smaller than the ones that are needed for traditional open surgery. Carbon dioxide gas is then gently injected into your child’s abdomen to lift the abdominal wall and create space for the surgeon to perform the procedure. A small video camera is then inserted into your child’s abdomen, usually at the belly button. This camera guides surgeons during the procedure. Then, the surgeon inserts special instruments through the tiny incisions to perform the procedure.

What are the benefits of pediatric laparoscopic surgery?

Like other minimally invasive techniques, laparoscopic surgery offers your child many benefits compared to traditional open procedures, including:

• Quick recovery - Children who undergo laparoscopic surgery have a shorter hospital stay and can return to school and their typical activities faster.

• Less pain - Because surgeons use very small incisions, children have less pain as they recover. They also need fewer pain medications, like opioids.

• Minimal-to-no scarring - The small incisions result in very little scarring, if any.

What are the side effects of pediatric laparoscopic surgery?

Despite being minimally invasive, it’s possible to develop scar tissue internally after laparoscopic surgery. Scar tissue is minimal compared to open surgery. Pediatric surgeons practicing at Children’s Health use the most advanced and gentle techniques to ensure your child has the least amount of scarring possible.

What are the risks of pediatric laparoscopic surgery?

With any surgical procedure, there is a very small risk of bleeding or infection. During minimally invasive surgeries, like laparoscopic surgery, surgeons use a high-definition video camera to keep the risk of bleeding to an absolute minimum. Because the incisions are much smaller in minimally invasive procedures compared to open procedures, there is a lower risk of infection.

Pediatric surgeons practicing at Children’s Health perform more minimally invasive procedures than any other team in the region. This experience enables us to keep any risks as low as possible.

What to expect with pediatric laparoscopic surgery

What to expect before, during and after the laparoscopic surgery varies based on what your child is having surgery for. Your surgeon will explain the procedure and provide you with any preparation instructions your child needs.

In general, you can expect that your child will have a shorter length of stay and faster recovery compared to open surgery. Many children who undergo laparoscopic surgery spend only one or two nights in the hospital.

You can also expect to have child life specialists available for any surgical procedure. These specialists help children understand their condition and the procedure so they feel as comfortable as possible with surgical treatment.

What questions should I ask my provider about pediatric laparoscopic surgery?

• What medications should my child stop taking before the procedure?

• Will my child need to spend the night at the hospital after laparoscopic surgery?

• How soon will I be able to see my child after the procedure?

• Is a child life specialist available before my child has laparoscopic surgery?