Cost of Laparoscopy in Nigeria Today: All You Need to Know

In the world of medicine, there have been so many advances and so many new developments, these signs of progress have assisted to make diagnostic processes easier to bear. One of the best of these processes is laparoscopy, and today I am going to be telling you all you need to know about Laparoscopy including the cost of Laparoscopy in Nigeria.

The cost of laparoscopy in Nigeria is depended on the availability and accessibility of hospitals or clinics for the surgery. Based on recent reports, the cost of laparoscopy in Nigeria is between N500, 000 and N1. 2 million depending on the type the patient is going for. This price also depends on the hospital and the age of the patient. Before I break down the cost further, Let’s take a look at what is laparoscopy, its benefits, risk factors, and the recovery process.

What is Laparoscopy?

Basically, laparoscopy is a diagnostic procedure in which a surgeon inserts a tiny device that has a light attached to it and a camera into your body to assist them to clearly picture organ damage and disease. During laparoscopy, the surgeon inserts the laparoscope into the stomach through a small opening in the abdomen that they make with a scalpel. They will then use a tube, allowing for clearer picturing of the organs in the abdomen and pelvis.

In some cases, the surgeon might aid a laparoscopy process with some extra surgical instruments, which they can also insert through the incision spots. A patient undertaking a laparoscopy can often anticipate up to 4 small incisions or more depending on several factors.

A doctor that is carrying out a laparoscopy may make use of a uterine schemer, which is inserted into the vagina, cervix, and uterus for easy movement pelvic organ to help see different pelvic anatomy. Once the process is complete, the physician will remove most of the carbon dioxide from the abdomen, eliminate all instruments, close the cuts with stitches, and cover the affected area with small bandages

Please note that after the procedure, the patient may feel tired or nauseated due to the anaesthesia used. Normally, most patients are discharged from the hospital on the day of their surgery. Although most experts advise that patients stay an extra day in the hospital to enable full recovery before being discharged. This is more important in cases of laparoscopic hysterectomy that involves the removal of the uterus.

Benefits of Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is a very useful surgical process that is used for a number of situations. While they may not be the only solution to certain ailments, they hold an advantage over many other types of treatments. Laparoscopy has many advantages compared to other surgical processes. They include but are not limited to the following:

They are less painful than normal open surgical operations
They ensure a faster recovery
IT usually involves smaller incisions
There is a lesser risk of infection.

Risks of Laparoscopy

Just like any other surgical processes, there are risks associated with laparoscopy. It is important the medical practitioner and surgeon explain these risks to the patients very well before they undergo the procedure. You are advised to tell your doctor of any health condition you may have or any particular condition you have. Some of the risks of Laparoscopy include:

bleeding, and hence, a potential need for blood transfusion
Just Like open surgery, there could be risks of infection, although there is a lesser risk of infection here.
There could be a risk of damage of internal structures like blood vessels, bowels, or ureter if the procedure is not properly done so it is highly advised you check the reputation of the hospital you want to undergo the procedure in.
There could also be an adverse reaction to anaesthesia in some patients, although the reaction wears off after a while.
There could be a risk of blood clot during or after the process.

The Recovery Process

After the laparoscopy procedure, patients may feel some side effects or symptoms. Please note that when any one or more of these symptoms, becomes persistent, it is recommended that the patient see a doctor as soon as possible. Some of the commonest symptoms that usually occur days after the process include:

fatigue
A sore throat, usually as a result of the breathing tube during surgery
uneasiness at the site of an incision
abdominal bloating
A shoulder or backache. This is usually caused as a result of carbon dioxide remaining within the abdomen, which irritates the diaphragm
severe pain
nausea or vomiting
heavy vaginal bleeding
heavy menstrual bleeding