Laparoscopic surgery is performed with a camera and specialised instruments inserted through a few millimetre-sized openings in the abdominal wall. Compared with open surgery it gives less pain, a shorter hospital stay, smaller scars and a lower risk of wound infection. It is widely used in gallbladder, hernia, bariatric, colorectal and splenic operations.
- Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery
- Laparoscopic hernia repair (TEP, TAPP)
- Laparoscopic bariatric surgery
- Laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery
- Laparoscopic splenectomy
- Laparoscopic adrenalectomy
- Keyhole anti-reflux surgery
- Laparoscopic appendectomy
Laparoscopic surgery is what patients usually call keyhole surgery. Several 0.5-1 cm openings are made in the abdominal wall; a camera and long, slim instruments are inserted, and the surgeon works from a magnified view.
Laparoscopic surgery began to spread in Turkey during the 1990s, and it took roughly two decades for it to become standard practice in general surgery.
Advantages of the Keyhole Approach
- Markedly less pain after surgery
- Shorter hospital stay: after gallbladder surgery, discharge is usually the same or the following day
- Faster return to daily life and work
- Smaller scars and a better cosmetic result
- Lower risk of wound infection and incisional hernia
- A magnified camera view allowing more precise work on tissue
Which Operations Use It?
- Gallbladder (cholecystectomy): the laparoscopic method is today the gold standard
- Bariatric surgery: sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass are routinely performed laparoscopically
- Hernia repair: particularly advantageous in bilateral and recurrent hernias
- Colorectal cancer surgery: oncological outcomes are equivalent to open surgery, with faster recovery
- Spleen (splenectomy) and adrenal gland operations
- Reflux and hiatal hernia surgery
- Appendicitis
Is It Suitable for Everyone?
No. The choice of method varies from patient to patient. The keyhole approach may be unsuitable or risky where there are:
- Dense adhesions from multiple previous operations
- Advanced inflammation and anatomy that cannot be clearly seen
- Serious heart or lung disease (inability to tolerate raised intra-abdominal pressure)
- Certain emergency and trauma situations
Important: An operation started laparoscopically may be completed by converting to the open method for safety. This is not a failure but a sound surgical decision to prevent injury, and the possibility is explained to the patient beforehand.
After Surgery
Recovery time depends on the operation: a few days after gallbladder surgery, a few weeks after bariatric and cancer operations. Shoulder pain caused by the carbon dioxide gas is common in the first days and resolves on its own. The scars fade markedly over time.
Technical Experience from Rome to Bruges
Op. Dr. Ersan Semerci has worked with laparoscopic surgery since the earliest years of his career and played a part in its adoption across Turkey. The first specialty area listed on his Medical Park doctor profile is laparoendoscopic surgery.
- Minimally Invasive Thyroid Surgery Training, Catholic University of Rome, Department of Endocrine Surgery, Rome, Italy (2009)
- Laparoscopic Solid Organ Surgery Course, Gazi University Department of General Surgery, Ankara (2011)
- Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery Course, Mersin University (2013)
- Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery Course, Acıbadem University, Istanbul (2015)
- Medtronic Medical Education, Bariatric Re-Do Surgery Training, Bruges, Belgium (2023)
His surgical volume includes more than 5,000 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, more than 3,000 bariatric surgery cases and more than 1,000 laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs.
Consultations and operations are carried out at Medicalpark Mersin Hospital. Op. Dr. Ersan Semerci has practised in Mersin since 2010. Patients travelling from Mersin and neighbouring provinces can book via WhatsApp.
Book on WhatsAppIs keyhole surgery safer than open surgery?
In a suitable patient the keyhole method gives less pain, a shorter stay and smaller scars. However, safety depends less on the method than on the patient's condition and the surgeon's experience. For some patients open surgery is the better choice.
Can a keyhole operation become an open one?
Yes. Where there are dense adhesions, advanced inflammation or the anatomy cannot be clearly seen, the surgeon may convert to the open method, prioritising safety. This is not a complication but the correct decision.
Are the scars permanent?
The keyhole method leaves a few scars of 0.5-1 cm, and these fade markedly over time. The scar in the navel is usually not noticeable at all.
Consultation and Appointments in Mersin
For symptoms within Laparoscopic (Keyhole) Surgery you can book an appointment at Medicalpark Mersin Hospital. Mezitli / Mersin, Turkey, weekdays 09:00-17:00.
WhatsApp: +90 542 236 05 33Disclaimer. This page is provided for general information only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or a treatment recommendation, and it is not a substitute for examination, diagnosis and treatment by a physician. The content is not tailored to any individual and is not intended as advertising. Which method is suitable for you can only be determined after examination and the necessary investigations. Consult your own doctor about any decision concerning your health.