Laser laparoscopy



Advantages of laser laparoscopy

It is performed without the classic 10-20 cm section (laparotomy), with four small holes (three holes of 0.5 cm diameter each at the level of the pubic region and one main 1 cm hole on the umbilicus). The procedure is performed using a laparoscope connected to a laser CO2 unit and special tools.

The use of CO2 laser beams confers accuracy in the section and vaporization (i.e. conversion of the excised tissue from solid to gas), qualities that are considered ideal for the treatment of infertility-related conditions.

A necessary requirement is the excellent technical knowledge of laser laparoscopy of the surgical team.

Which operations are performed laparoscopically?

The technique can be applied in the entire range of gynecological surgical operations:

  • Treatment of endometriosis - vaporization of chocolate cysts
  • Fallopian tube plastic surgery, fallopian tube opening
  • Adhesion lysis
  • Removal of ovarian or paraovarian cysts
  • Ectopic pregnancy with retention or removal of the fallopian tube
  • Removal of uterine fibroids
  • Treatment of chronic pelvic pain using L.U.N.A.

Vaporization using SwiftLase has an advantage over diathermy. With the addition of SwiftLase, the depth of vaporization is smaller, known and very particular from histological studies, and does not leave carbon residues.

Endometriosis and laser laparoscopy

In endometriosis, the endometrium (i.e. the tissue that lines the inner cavity of the uterus and is discharged with period blood) develops and functions outside the uterus (i.e. in an ectopic location). Endometriosis is the second most frequent gynecological conditions after fibroids.

It is related to infertility, pelvic pain, chocolate ovarian cysts, adhesions, dysmenorrheal (period pains) and dyspareunia (pain during intercourse). Depending on the site it is located in the pelvis, endometriosis is classified as peritoneal, ovarian (endometrioma-chocolate cysts) and endometeriosis (or adenomyosis) of the vaginal diaphragm.

Laser laparoscopy is the optimal method for the treatment of endometriosis. The precision of the method allows the selective removal of the damage and protects neighbouring vital organs and healthy ovarian tissue. Vaporization of peritoneal endometriosis using CO2 laser is the ideal method of treatment.

Vaporization using SwiftLase has an advantage over laparoscopic cyst removal because it allows larger reserves to remain in the ovary as it removes no healthy ovarian tissue.

For more information you may refer to our published study (Trearment of peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis by using CO2 laser with or without SwiftLase, Lainas, Petsas, Stathopoulos, Bournas, Eliadis, 4th Congress of the European Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (ESGE) Brussels, Belgium, 6-9 Dec 1995).